Sam Bennett Value: Have the Flames held on TOO long? OR is he awesome?

[ComixZone]

Originally Posted by Huntingwhale

I looked away from the TV for a moment during the Jets' game, and Hrudey was going on about how Bennett laid out a massive hit on a Jets' player. I don't recall seeing it on the replay. Anybody capture that moment?

Nice to see him putting up points and working his way up the lineup. Definitely the feel good player of the season. I can't remember that last time I was rooting hard for a player to break out in a big way, and it's fun to watch.

I believe he had Ehlers lined up, but only got 50% of him. I can remember the play but I can't quite remember for sure who he was hitting.

[Azure]

So can we start banning the haters?

[BigErnSalute_16]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

I believe he had Ehlers lined up, but only got 50% of him. I can remember the play but I can't quite remember for sure who he was hitting.

Ya it was Ehlers, wasn't a full connection but was still a big hit

[DazzlinDino]

Originally Posted by Azure

So can we start banning the haters?

Banning is too easy just like those wanting to trade Bennett for peanuts was too easy. Sometimes it is better to put in the time and the work with the player, "individual" as the Flames have done. Bennett came to camp bigger and stronger, so obviously he has taken some time to put in the work. He had a plan, he even talked about it at the beginning of the season saying he wanted to show the coaches his 2 way game. We just didn't see the results right away. We are seeing the results of a more complete player now; If he starts scoring along with that it will be a big bonus.

Some of the posters obviously show a strong bias, some are stubborn, some are probably trolls; Maybe a few converted haters in there. Some posters added excellent posts on why they felt Bennett was struggling and needed change. The ones I find annoying ones are the ones in spite of everything Bennett has done keep looking for something to devalue his contributions. I find the patient communicative approach we see from some of the posters "like Bingo" a better approach. His stats add something measurable and tangible, but the dialog is really worth it's weight in gold when people can see what results from doing things the hard way. Seeing a lot of reactionary posters leaning more and more on dialog has been refreshing! Like Bennett they are not perfect!

[Enoch Root]

Speaking of Bennett...

You could feel that things were coming around for Sammie - he was hitting, forechecking, and finding ways to contribute, and it just seemed like points were only a matter of time. So I decided to mix it up on Saturday and give him a little support by wearing the #93 jersey. And Bennett had a huge hit, a fight, and a point. Sweet.

So it was back on for Monday's game. And he had a goal, and another solid game. Sweet.

So obviously it was back for last night's game. Another goal and an apple, and another impactful game.

So - good news, I hope - I will be in Vegas , rocking it again tomorrow.

One game is just that, one game. Two games is a coincidence. Three games is a trend. But four games is a movement! If he gets on the scoresheet again tomorrow, I think he owes me beers!

[TheRealPepman]

Can we try playing Bennett at centre again? It may have only backfired before because of Gulutzan.

[Phagoof]

Originally Posted by TheRealPepman

Can we try playing Bennett at centre again? It may have only backfired before because of Gulutzan.

Gaudreau-Monahan-Lindholm
Tkachuk-Bennett-Neal
Frolik-Backlund-Ryan
Dube-Jankowski-Czarnik

[FlamesAreOne]

Originally Posted by Phagoof

Gaudreau-Monahan-Lindholm
Tkachuk-Bennett-Neal
Frolik-Backlund-Ryan
Dube-Jankowski-Czarnik

My god. Each line has skill and grit. I'd hate and screw around with Bennett again by moving him around a bunch, especially when he is finally turning the corner. However it could pay huge dividends down the road.

[Fire]

Originally Posted by TheRealPepman

Can we try playing Bennett at centre again? It may have only backfired before because of Gulutzan.

Bennett is finally playing well again, lets not rock the boat.

[Phagoof]

Originally Posted by FlamesAreOne

My god. Each line has skill and grit. I'd hate and screw around with Bennett again by moving him around a bunch, especially when he is finally turning the corner. However it could pay huge dividends down the road.

I think the key is keeping him and Tkachuk together, they are both so hard to deal with.

Could you imagine that line in the playoffs though, would be havoc. If anyone on the opposing team started chirping there would be 3 gloves in their face.

[gamesaver]

Originally Posted by Phagoof

I think the key is keeping him and Tkachuk together, they are both so hard to deal with.

Could you imagine that line in the playoffs though, would be havoc. If anyone on the opposing team started chirping there would be 3 gloves in their face.

Exactly, playing with Tkachuk will definitely help his production. I remember lot of posters were sugesting this last season, but GG insisted on keeping 3Ms together even when it was clear they were struggling offensively. Bennet has been impressive this year and the promotion to top six is well deserved.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Speaking of Bennett...

You could feel that things were coming around for Sammie - he was hitting, forechecking, and finding ways to contribute, and it just seemed like points were only a matter of time. So I decided to mix it up on Saturday and give him a little support by wearing the #93 jersey. And Bennett had a huge hit, a fight, and a point. Sweet.

So it was back on for Monday's game. And he had a goal, and another solid game. Sweet.

So obviously it was back for last night's game. Another goal and an apple, and another impactful game.

So - good news, I hope - I will be in Vegas , rocking it again tomorrow.

One game is just that, one game. Two games is a coincidence. Three games is a trend. But four games is a movement! If he gets on the scoresheet again tomorrow, I think he owes me beers!

I'm in Vegas too. Sorry, don't have a 93.

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by Fire

Bennett is finally playing well again, lets not rock the boat.

Putting a great center at center if his LWer is Tkachuk is not rocking the boat. I am however skeptical about Neal being the RW given Tkachuk - Backlund - Neal was such a bad line. Tkachuk - Bennett - Lindholm would be my inclination, three guys who flash shades of Forsberg in their game.

Or to keep the top line ontact, Tkachuk - Bennett - Jankowski. Putting Janko at wing and in the top six would allow him to use his scoring skill to its fullest potential. The every two years line since the three were drafted two years apart with Bennett in the middle. Or Dube. Tkachuk - Bennett - Dube. 2014 / 2016 / 2017 drafts. Young explosive line. Or Tkachuk - Bennett - Czarnik if you want some corsi explosiveness.

Man these thoughts excite me.

Rocking the boat would be putting Bennett back with Hathaway.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

Putting a great center at center if his LWer is Tkachuk is not rocking the boat. I am however skeptical about Neal being the RW given Tkachuk - Backlund - Neal was such a bad line. Tkachuk - Bennett - Lindholm would be my inclination, three guys who flash shades of Forsberg in their game.

Or to keep the top line ontact, Tkachuk - Bennett - Jankowski. Putting Janko at wing and in the top six would allow him to use his scoring skill to its fullest potential. The every two years line since the three were drafted two years apart with Bennett in the middle. Or Dube. Tkachuk - Bennett - Dube. 2014 / 2016 / 2017 drafts. Young explosive line. Or Tkachuk - Bennett - Czarnik if you want some corsi explosiveness.

Man these thoughts excite me.

Rocking the boat would be putting Bennett back with Hathaway.

Tkachuk Backlund Neal didn't get much of a look. Neal strikes me as a player who sometimes needs time to gel with a centre. He also is probably a guy who needs minutes in order to produce. Shooters need chances to shoot, and they just haven't come his way yet. And the games he was on that line were not the other guys' best nights either.

Right now I'm not messing with the top line. Everything else is blendable for me.

[Stanley]

Originally Posted by Phagoof

Gaudreau-Monahan-Lindholm
Tkachuk-Bennett-Neal
Frolik-Backlund-Ryan
Dube-Jankowski-Czarnik

NO. Don't screw with the 2nd line by throwing Neal on it.

[jaikorven]

I have no 'thanks' for some reason, but this is said perfectly. Thank you.

[868904]

I definitely want to see Tkachuk-Bennett-Neal, that should give Neal all he needs to produce.

Plus Backlund is best with Frolik. I think a third line of Frolik-Backlund-Ryan could be a top shutdown line in the league. All 3 are defensively responsible and are good skaters. With the right shot face off ace in Ryan on that line, they would have faceoff advantages which would mean greater possession.

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by 868904

I definitely want to see Tkachuk-Bennett-Neal, that should give Neal all he needs to produce.

Plus Backlund is best with Frolik. I think a third line of Frolik-Backlund-Ryan could be a top shutdown line in the league. All 3 are defensively responsible and are good skaters. With the right shot face off ace in Ryan on that line, they would have faceoff advantages which would mean greater possession.

It's certainly a thought, but I just think it'd have a lack of footspeed. I'd be inclined to go with:

Tkachuk-Monahan-Lindholm
Gaudreau-Bennett-Neal
Frolik-Backlund-Ryan/Jankowski (RWer depends on whether size or faceoffs are needed)
Dube-Jankowski/Ryan-Czarnik

[red sky]

Nice article on the Athletic about Bennett forging a new identity

Name​ this Flames​ player:

6-foot-2
Left-shooting winger
Age 22
Born in Ontario
Prolific OHL scorer
Highly-touted first round pick
Will hit everything
Will fight anyone
Second on the team in penalty minutes
Infamous for his inability to do chin-ups

While this might sound like a description of Sam Bennett, it is not.

That is a description of Gary Roberts from 35 years ago, the season Calgary won the Stanley Cup.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by red sky

Nice article on the Athletic about Bennett forging a new identity

Except Roberts produced points almost right away. Roberts scored 39 (2nd on the team) in his third full year, ahead of Mullen, Makarov, Gilmour, Theo, and behind only Newy. 53 two years later to lead the team. Such an underrated Flame.