2017/2018 Trade Speculation and Rumors

[scotty2hotty]

Originally Posted by dino7c

Gifting him top six minutes he hasn't earned seems like a terrible idea.

While I don't disagree with you ... I would suggest that Lazar, Jagr, and this season's version of Ferland have been 'gifted' top line minutes.

[N-E-B]

Originally Posted by Cleveland Steam Whistle

Yes, god forbid he might actually take some time to develop. His draft position and instant success of some other high picks like Monahan (although people are pretty quick to chuck him under the bus the second he hits a rough patch) and Thachuk is really working against them. It's taken Jankowski 5 years since being drafted to even warrant a sniff on this team. Agreed expectations on Bennett's development should be higher than that, but there's a massive in between the Janko route and the Mony route we should all be comfortable accepting.

Bennett is entering his third full season. Asking him to come in and produce now is not asking for instant production. He's regressed statistically each year and it's looking like so far he will again. I understand the desire to be patient with him but when he's showing no signs of improvement that gets harder and harder to do.

[Kybb79]

Originally Posted by dino7c

Gifting him top six minutes he hasn't earned seems like a terrible idea.

GG was a terrible idea.

[Freddy]

I’d rather trade the entire CP Bennett lynch mob for a bag of pucks. I’m pretty sure there’d be less to regret in the future.

[Kovaz]

Bennett's comically snakebitten right now. It's obvious his confidence is shot, and even then he should have a few points by now. He's still played a part in a handful of goals that likely don't go in without him, even if he didn't touch the puck.

Some examples:
Brodie's 2nd against Winnipeg likely doesn't go in if Bennett's not at the net.
Gaudreau's beauty against Winnipeg doesn't happen without Bennett starting that forecheck and drawing Trouba away from Gaudreau.
Hamilton's goal vs Vancouver doesn't happen without Bennett forcing a turnover from Stecher (or possibly without his screen).

And very recently:
A great save by Rinne takes away what was shaping up to be our best goal of the year.

Mark Jankowski currently has the best possession stats on our team (59% CF%, 75% xGF%), and he's done it with Bennett on his wing. For all the complaining about our lack of depth scoring, you'd think we'd consider keeping a 3rd line that has actually looked good against two very good teams in Nashville and St. Louis.

Fun fact: Bennett and Tkachuk have practically identical xGF/60 rates (2.35 vs 2.34). In other words, we're generating dangerous shots at identical rates with Bennett on the ice compared to Tkachuk on the ice. However, Tkachuk's line has had 7 go in, compared to only 2 for Bennett.

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by N-E-B

No it doesn't. Sidney Crosby has more than zero points. Connor McDavid has more than zero points. Pathetic is the right word to use for a guy like Bennett. Even Curtis Lazar and freakin' Troy Brouwer have points. Bennett is too skilled a guy to have zero points through 10 games.

Except it does. Even Crosby, the best player in the world, has had a terrible streak of games or two (I think he started 15/16 by getting points in only 1 of his first 9 or 10 games). The fact is, it does happen to everyone, even players way better than Bennett, and especially players that are at the same level as Bennett.

I mean, since you brought him up, Brouwer had two 10-game pointless streaks just last season. Bad streaks happen to everyone. It just happens.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

Except it does. Even Crosby, the best player in the world, has had a terrible streak of games or two (I think he started 15/16 by getting points in only 1 of his first 9 or 10 games).

Yabbut, you know, Crosby has more points than that this season, and that's the only sample that can possibly matter. The fact that the best player in the league had long scoring droughts before is irrelevant. The fact that Bennett is in a long scoring drought right now is the only thing that matters, because the last 10 games are a perfectly fair and representative sample from which you can unerringly predict the entire course of his career. Clearly Bennett will never get a point again.

[GioforPM]

So GG has messed up by either giving Bennett too much or too little ice time. Got it.

[N-E-B]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

Except it does. Even Crosby, the best player in the world, has had a terrible streak of games or two (I think he started 15/16 by getting points in only 1 of his first 9 or 10 games). The fact is, it does happen to everyone, even players way better than Bennett, and especially players that are at the same level as Bennett.

I mean, since you brought him up, Brouwer had two 10-game pointless streaks just last season. Bad streaks happen to everyone. It just happens.

That's a fair, lots of players do go through scoring droughts, but players like Crosby are still effective without putting up points. My frustration with Bennett was not necessarily just the lack of points (although that was a big part of it) but the fact that he wasn't really contributing anything at all. He was just.... there. I should have been more clear about that in my last post instead of just harping on the lack of points, so I'll apologize for that.

He's looked much better on the wing the past two games. He's creating chances. I hope he keeps it up, he has all the tools. It's just a matter of putting it all together now.

[Tinordi]

0 points is terrible - there's no way to spin that yarn any other way

Bottom line: Bennett is way more bust than he is player waiting to break out at this point.

Should be actively trying to a way to salvage value from him through trade.

[JJFlash]

Trading Bennett would be another Marc Savard fiasco which we can't afford. Move him to the top line, if he can't score with Johnny then he can't score. A lot of the optimism for this team taking it to the next level was riding on Bennett's progression.

[flamesforcup]

I would be more worried if he was invisible and looked lost. He hasnt been bad points will come soon

[the2bears]

Originally Posted by Tinordi

0 points is terrible - there's no way to spin that yarn any other way

Bottom line: Bennett is way more bust than he is player waiting to break out at this point.

Should be actively trying to a way to salvage value from him through trade.

Bit of an overreaction. He's worth more with the Flames than being traded for "salvage value".

[Reign of Fire]

Originally Posted by Tinordi

0 points is terrible - there's no way to spin that yarn any other way

Bottom line: Bennett is way more bust than he is player waiting to break out at this point.

Should be actively trying to a way to salvage value from him through trade.

Some of you guys make great Armchair GMs, stick to video game.

[---Hatrick---]

Can't wait until we look back on these discussions and thank our lucky stars we didn't trade him away for nothing to early. Much like Backlund.
He's not hurting the team. Patience young grass hoppas!

[Vinny01]

I rather Bennett bust out and be worthless than trade him for a 2nd and some plug and have him thrive elsewhere. It is still far too early to give up on him. I do think the move to wing should be made on a permanent basis and I think he will start putting up points.

[bubbsy]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

I rather Bennett bust out and be worthless than trade him for a 2nd and some plug and have him thrive elsewhere. It is still far too early to give up on him. I do think the move to wing should be made on a permanent basis and I think he will start putting up points.

agreed. I was disappointed in Bennetts first 8 games of the season, but the move to the wing the past 2 games and he does look better. that game against the preds, we finally saw glimpses of actual skill play, something i haven't seen from him in over a year. That being said, it's only been 2 games since the change. Let's revisit this at the 20 game mark. I just feel that after a learning out process between him and Jankowski, they could end up providing some points.

[dino7c]

Nobody wants to trade him for a second...all I am saying is that he's not untouchable...and his play this far has been very poor. The whole team can't play with JG. Depth should be our advantage yet the 3rd line has been a weakness sadly...should be a strength considering who they match up against.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by bubbsy

agreed. I was disappointed in Bennetts first 8 games of the season, but the move to the wing the past 2 games and he does look better. that game against the preds, we finally saw glimpses of actual skill play, something i haven't seen from him in over a year. That being said, it's only been 2 games since the change. Let's revisit this at the 20 game mark. I just feel that after a learning out process between him and Jankowski, they could end up providing some points.

Definitely agree with this take. One of the Flames biggest issues is getting scoring 5 on 5 from the bottom 2 lines. Versteeg has 2 goals and I believe both are on the power play. All other goals are from the top 6 or blueline.

If the Flames are going to be a top team they need offense from the third line. I am confident after several games together Jankowski and Bennett can provide that scoring.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by dino7c

Nobody wants to trade him for a second...all I am saying is that he's not untouchable...and his play this far has been very poor. The whole team can't play with JG, depth should be our advantage.

People are talking about salvaging value via a trade I do t believe the expected return is a first rounder or stud forward.

Bennett is not going to get the team Duchene without adding significantly more. I wouldn’t be against moving him if he still carried the value of a 21 year old 4th overall pick. Read the “value of Sam Bennett” thread on Hf and you will see countless lowball offers. I know that means nothing in the grand scheme of things but ultimately reading him nownis selling low. Some people think trade him now before he is worthless where I am of the opinion a move to the wing and keeping him here is the better move