[Rumour] Flames recall Sam Bennett. UPD: Flames still deciding on AHL or NHL

[hockey.modern]

@Fan960Wills: Thinking about Bennett situation. #Flames have used all 4 post-deadline recalls. If they send him to AHL, don't think they could recall him.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Cleveland Steam Whistle

Ferland and Shore are playing 4th roles that Bennett can't play. I'd say it's more than debatable that Bennett is going to be an upgrade in games 1 through 4 of his NHL career (if that starts tomorrow) than what Grandlund is doing for us right now.

Bennett is to Granlund as Gaudreau is to Baertschi

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by polak

On the off chance that he's some how not an improvement on Raymond or Colborne (hah) then so what? You don't play him then. Problem solved?

Just like Porier.

Exactly - he downside is that he isn't better and you're even. OMGs!!!

[N-E-B]

Monahan didn't need the AHL, and neither does Sam Bennett. Bing him up, we could really use a boost.

[Anduril]

Raymond seems to do well only against the Oilers so I'd probably keep him out of the press box for one more game. Other than that, Granlund/Colborne could use a game off, mostly the latter.

[sureLoss]

#freeBennett

[Red Menace]

Originally Posted by Cleveland Steam Whistle

I do think its debatable that he'll be an upgrade over Raymond in games 1 through 4. Long term, one hopes it's not even a question, who will play a better game on Saturday night between the two at the NHL level, very debatable. I'd say anyone thinking otherwise is putting way too much pressure on Bennett right out the gate.

Not to mention, we can't approach this like a desperate team willing to throw anything at the walk or try anything. This is a team that has made it this far with the group we've got. To suggest the playoffs won't happen unless we upgrade somehow before the end of the year is simply not giving enough credit to the folks that have got us this far, and despite what everyone seems to think there is a chance Bennett makes us worse in the short term while he finds his NHL game.

Have you noticed how badly the team is getting outplayed when the top line isn't out there?
Or how ineffective the 2nd PP unit is?
Even if Sam does poorly, it is the same result..... he either improves us, or we still suck outside the top 3.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Exactly - he downside is that he isn't better and you're even. OMGs!!!

So little credit being given to what it even takes to be a everyday regular NHL player....... This fan base has truly become spoiled by Monahan and Gaudreau if you think it's just that easy to walk into an NHL dressing room and play a regular shift the way Colborne and Raymond have been, even with their lack of production of late.

There is a legitimate risk that Bennett makes us worse initially than playing either of those two guys, this sentiment that the Flames are currently dressing non NHL worthy players and Bennett automatically equals better is crazy.

[burn_this_city]

I think it would be a waste to not allow him a few NHL games. Wet his beak on this stretch drive so he knows what to expect next season.

[flambers]

Originally Posted by Cleveland Steam Whistle

So little credit being given to what it even takes to be a everyday regular NHL player....... This fan base has truly become spoiled by Monahan and Gaudreau if you think it's just that easy to walk into an NHL dressing room and play a regular shift the way Colborne and Raymond have been, even with their lack of production of late.

There is a legitimate risk that Bennett makes us worse initially than playing either of those two guys, this sentiment that the Flames are currently dressing non NHL worthy players and Bennett automatically equals better is crazy.

Why is it crazy, if Bennett stayed healthy... there was a really good chance he would have made the Flames out of training camp...

Bennett is a high end talented player....

Management made a great decision sending him down... but recalling now there is no risk in my opinion.

Very least recall him and practice him with the team if he looks good insert him and scratch Granlund.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by Red Menace

Have you noticed how badly the team is getting outplayed when the top line isn't out there?
Or how ineffective the 2nd PP unit is?
Even if Sam does poorly, it is the same result..... he either improves us, or we still suck outside the top 3.

I have noticed. Have you noticed that this team currently holds down a playoff spot? There is an outcome where our other lines actually get outplayed more badly than they did the other nigh if you insert Bennett, he's never played a real game at this level.

Not to mention everyone is getting way too freaked out over the last two games. 2nd night of back to backs against Dallas, St.Louis is an excellent tea we don't match up well against. We have played other games (like Nashville the other day) where our other lines were pretty good. It's not like every line put the first is the worst line in the league and it's not possible to make them worse. That is such an unfair assessment of what everyone not names Johnny, Sean or Jiri has accomplished this year.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Cleveland Steam Whistle

So little credit being given to what it even takes to be a everyday regular NHL player....... This fan base has truly become spoiled by Monahan and Gaudreau if you think it's just that easy to walk into an NHL dressing room and play a regular shift the way Colborne and Raymond have been, even with their lack of production of late.

There is a legitimate risk that Bennett makes us worse initially than playing either of those two guys, this sentiment that the Flames are currently dressing non NHL worthy players and Bennett automatically equals better is crazy.

I respect your continued efforts to defend the guys in the NHL, in comparison to the kids. And I agree with you, generally.

But we aren't talking Wolf or Granlund here.

Bennett is substantially better than them.

[Vedder]

Yeah there's a chance he'll be in over his head, but you won't find out until you play him. I think in shielded minutes he will help the 2nd powerplay at minimum. With no non-emergency callups left I think you have to give him a look.

[Red Menace]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

I respect your continued efforts to defend the guys in the NHL, in comparison to the kids. And I agree with you, generally.

But we aren't talking Wolf or Granlund here.

Bennett is substantially better than them.

This is what I am trying to say as well.
Generally I would agree with you.....but Bennett is an elite prospect....those concerns should be washed away.

We are winning on the backs of 3 fwds, 4 Def and sometimes our Goalie.
Bouma and Backlund occasionally step up as well.
The bottom half of the roster on the other hand is doing very little to help us win any of these games. In fact they are doing their best to make us lose.
If Bennett isn't an improvement over them immediately, we have all grossly overestimated him (as have all NHL scouts)

[PeteMoss]

Originally Posted by Cleveland Steam Whistle

Ferland and Shore are playing 4th roles that Bennett can't play. I'd say it's more than debatable that Bennett is going to be an upgrade in games 1 through 4 of his NHL career (if that starts tomorrow) than what Grandlund is doing for us right now.

I don't see why Bennett can't play the 4th line role. Granlund has spent time on the 4th line, Byron's spent time on the 4th line. Bennett can do it if they want to.

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by Red Menace

This is what I am trying to say as well.
Generally I would agree with you.....but Bennett is an elite prospect....those concerns should be washed away.

We are winning on the backs of 3 fwds, 4 Def and sometimes our Goalie.
Bouma and Backlund occasionally step up as well.
The bottom half of the roster on the other hand is doing very little to help us win any of these games. In fact they are doing their best to make us lose.
If Bennett isn't an improvement over them immediately, we have all grossly overestimated him (as have all NHL scouts)

Just because Bennett isn't an improvement on anyone at this point in time does not mean anyone has overestimated him.

[Red Menace]

Originally Posted by PeteMoss

I don't see why Bennett can't play the 4th line role. Granlund has spent time on the 4th line, Byron's spent time on the 4th line. Bennett can do it if they want to.

Agreed, the 3rd and 4th lines have been interchangeable these days anyways.

[Red Menace]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Just because Bennett isn't an improvement on anyone at this point in time does not mean anyone has overestimated him.

Really? you think he is worse than Brandon Bollig right now?

[Vinny01]

Sam was passed about getting sent back to the OHL. He went back and dominated and helped his team get in the playoffs.

He has had game action, he is fully rehabilitated, the Calgary Flames could use a spark, reward the kid for his hard work and give him a couple games down the stretch. If it doesn't work then scratch him and let him watch. More value to being with the big club than the baby Flames at this stage.

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by Red Menace

Really? you think he is worse than Brandon Bollig right now?

That's not what I said.

I am calling you out on the statement that if Bennett doesn't immediately prove he is better than half of the roster then he has been overestimated.

There is a thing called a learning curve.