[News] Dreger: Still sizable gap between Bennett and Flames

[Tinordi]

Bennett's upside is essentially Duchene.

Colorado passes.

They need a couple good assets on D if they're trading Duchene.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by BigRed

Of course not. But that's the rumour -- of Duchene not reporting to camp. Bennett could be a key part of a package, but would likely mean losing a D as well -- which would leave either Stone or Hamonic royally pissed ...

There is no rumor and I personally don't trade Bennett straight up for Duchene. Sure Bennett had 26pts last year but was 20 years old. Duchene had 41pts and is 26.

Bennett likely gets signed to a bridge deal for far less than $6M for 2 years where the Flames will again have the ability to pay him as an RFA. Duchene has a $6M per contract that needs to be re-signed when he is turning 29 and players like that can usually get a 7-8 year deal at a raise.

On top of that you make the laughable claim that the Flames add the Dman they chased after and spent 3 high draft picks on? The very same Dman the Avs reportedly turned down in a Duchene deal earlier this summer? Even suggesting Stone who the Flames re-signed would be horrible optics for Calgary. Convince a guy that wants to be here to forego free agency to play in a city that is great for his family situation. Not to mention this team is on the verge of contention and you suggest maybe he getsmoved to the worst organization in the league before he plays a game on the new deal?

Only in your dreams

[Love]

Originally Posted by Tinordi

Bennett's upside is essentially Duchene.

Colorado passes.

They need a couple good assets on D if they're trading Duchene.

More like Prime Mike Richards. Duchene is a soft skilled offensive dynamo.

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

Duchene appears non-committal as far as attending camp:



TSN

Colorado turned down hamonic and a 1st.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Tinordi

Bennett's upside is essentially Duchene.

Colorado passes.

They need a couple good assets on D if they're trading Duchene.

I think it is higher than that, but that is beside the point. Treliving did not work his ass off over the past two years building the team's defence to start dismantling it today in trades. Especially not in exchange for a player with his own detractors like Duchene.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by ricardodw

So because we have a series of non-value contracts at forward let's take it out on Bennett and Backlund?

What does that have to do with the cost of the Flames defense?

And "a series of non-value contracts" is a stretch.

[Tinordi]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

I think it is higher than that, but that is beside the point. Treliving did not work his ass off over the past two years building the team's defence to start dismantling it today in trades. Especially not in exchange for a player with his own detractors like Duchene.

Well, the window is now, and there is a big hole on RW in the top six. Not saying that Duchene is the answer but you absolutely look to trade some of your D assets if the right fit comes along. I can guarantee you that the Flames will trade one of their D prospects in the next two years for NHL help. It's how you prudently manage a team.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Tinordi

Well, the window is now, and there is a big hole on RW in the top six. Not saying that Duchene is the answer but you absolutely look to trade some of your D assets if the right fit comes along.

Trading assets? Yes. Trading one of the top-five this month? NO. Emphatically, NO.

I can guarantee you that the Flames will trade one of their D prospects in the next two years for NHL help. It's how you prudently manage a team.

Sure, but that is not the same thing as trading one of their top-five defensemen on the eve of training camp.

[GoJetsGo]

Originally Posted by Tinordi

Well, the window is now, and there is a big hole on RW in the top six. Not saying that Duchene is the answer but you absolutely look to trade some of your D assets if the right fit comes along. I can guarantee you that the Flames will trade one of their D prospects in the next two years for NHL help. It's how you prudently manage a team.

Are you being obtuse?

I think it's clear that the team's current top five - on the main club roster - is being referred to.

In that case I think he's right. No chance we're moving Gio, Hamilton, Brodie, Hamonic or Stone right now.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by Tinordi

Well, the window is now, and there is a big hole on RW in the top six. Not saying that Duchene is the answer but you absolutely look to trade some of your D assets if the right fit comes along. I can guarantee you that the Flames will trade one of their D prospects in the next two years for NHL help. It's how you prudently manage a team.

We already traded assets for Hamonic. Yeah, I know, just draft picks. So now, if we want a good player in return, say good bye to the likes of Fox, Parsons, Kylington, Magiapane, any of those guys. I disagree that we need to trade our top prospects right now, a Forsberg 2.0 could happen.

[edslunch]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

Hickey had the leverage of waiting the Flames out until he hit UFA. Bennett has no such luxury.

I think his point was that Treliving expressing confidence doesn't guarantee anything.

[Tinordi]

Originally Posted by GoJetsGo

Are you being obtuse?

I think it's clear that the team's current top five - on the main club roster - is being referred to.

In that case I think he's right. No chance we're moving Gio, Hamilton, Brodie, Hamonic or Stone right now.

Hmm, I didn't realize that's what we're talking about.

No Flames aren't trading anyone from their top 5, that's dumb. Though you have to think that with how our D prospects do this year, Stone may become available. There's going to be a lot of pressure from the farm on the defensive depth chart. I can see a guy like Valimaki making a strong case for himself in camp this year.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by Tinordi

Well, the window is now, and there is a big hole on RW in the top six. Not saying that Duchene is the answer but you absolutely look to trade some of your D assets if the right fit comes along. I can guarantee you that the Flames will trade one of their D prospects in the next two years for NHL help. It's how you prudently manage a team.

In terms of D assets if you are talking about prospects that could make sense. The Flames have 4 very solid D prospects in Valimaki, Andersen, Fox, and Kylingnton.

Bennett+ one of those guys is a very nice deal for the Avs not so much for the Flames. Also eats up the rest of the Flames cap space.

Duchene would be a nice fit but he is not a perfect fit and it doesn't make sense to move 2 or more of our best young assets for him

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by edslunch

I think his point was that Treliving expressing confidence doesn't guarantee anything.

Sure, but the situations are not analogous. Using the Flames inability to come to terms with Hickey as a means to induce concern about signing Sam Bennett is disingenuous.

[longsuffering]

Originally Posted by bigrangy

This is exactly the problem. Can't fault a guy for looking around the league at all the young players playing in top 6 roles with heavy PP time and get frustrated because your team can't or won't offer that to you.

At no point this year was Bennett worse than October/November Monahan and yet he got demoted to the 3rd line and taken off the PP. The Flames have done a heck of a job restricting his earning potential with how they deployed him this season.

If his camp feels that he won't get an opportunity in the top 6 (and he won't unless he switches to RW, someone else does, or Backlund is moved) then I don't see him wanting to be here just to play bottom 6 minutes. If he was on Arizona or Vancouver he would have been their 1/2c this year and probably put up around 50 points. That's a big difference in pay and it's because of factors outside of his control.

Yeah! The 'Man' is holding him down!

The Flames don't want to win, and last season was a plot to restrict Bennett's earnings.

How 'bout Bennett force the Flames into giving him a to six spot?

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

[Enoch Root]

I don't see any way the Flames go after Duchene with Bennett and a D prospect.

1) the cap situation doesn't allow it

2) the Flames are already concerned that they are too small and too soft up front. They are looking to get bigger and tougher, not smaller and softer. Moving out Bennett and moving in Duchene moves them in the wrong direction.

3) Duchene only has 2 years until he is a UFA. The Flames' window is opening now, but it is far from being 'win now at the expense of the future'. Bennett is an answer long term, Duchene is an answer short term. I cannot see the Flames making that tradeoff.

4) Though the Flames are currently rich with respect to D prospects, the only way their window is going to remain open, once Tkachuk and Bennett, and anyone else who steps up, start getting paid, is by moving some of those D prospects into the lineup. They already gave up Hickey - I doubt very much they want to reduce their odds of success any further at this point. Sure, I think they'll move one of them in a year or two, once the picture starts to become clearer, but not right now.

IMO, regardless of the fact that Duchene is worth more than Bennett right now, it makes absolutely no sense for the Flames to make that trade. It simply doesn't fit with their plan.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Tinordi

Hmm, I didn't realize that's what we're talking about.

No Flames aren't trading anyone from their top 5, that's dumb. Though you have to think that with how our D prospects do this year, Stone may become available. There's going to be a lot of pressure from the farm on the defensive depth chart. I can see a guy like Valimaki making a strong case for himself in camp this year.

While unlikely to see at this camp, I do think they'll see the need to make room before the end of Hamonic/Stone's contracts.

But imagine if it happens this month? Given the right side being locked down it would have to be Rasmus Andersson forcing their hand but would make for an interesting scene to unfold.

[Rick M.]

[QUOTE=FurnaceFace;6364136]The interview this morning on the Fan wasn't anything special. It is extra nice to have Warrener back though to ask the "been there" type of question. The most interesting thing asked was if Bennett was in town skating. He's not, he's back in Ontario on his own.


Uppity loner.

[Racki]

Sam Bennett's agent is in danger of the kid getting Wally Pipp'd if he doesn't sign before camp.

Mark Jankowski will be all over that third line center spot if #93 doesn't show up in time.

In a perfect world maybe that's for the best. Forces Bennett to the wing in a top 6 role and he prospers in that spot?

[H2SO4(aq)]

Originally Posted by Love

More like Prime Mike Richards. Duchene is a soft skilled offensive dynamo.

Prime Mike Richards is a great comparison. Awesome player too