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

[Badgers Nose]

Originally Posted by Bingo

I don't think anyone is holding him back or coaching him not to try stuff ... the team has guys trying stuff all over the ice.

He's a confidence issue kid who stops trying stuff when he's not feeling it.

Exactly. A few of the garbage day interviews went that way;

'When I was confident, things were great. When I wasn't things were not so good.'

Whose job is it to make them professional? We all have days where we 'are not feeling it' and we still have to do our job.

One of my colleagues once did some stats on her own work, days she felt it versus days she did not. What she found was the result was the same, what mattered was not making excuses and just doing the work.

Get on the forecheck. Finish your check. Go to the net. Backcheck.

For these guys, with their talent, all they have to do is push through and keep it simple and success will come. They are world class athletes with immense natural abilities. How they heck do they become so fragile?

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Sorry, I'm not letting Bennett off the hook that easily. Perhaps there were factors of coaching and linemates that limited how much he produced offensively, but there are a LOT of other parts of the game that he could play well without scoring goals and putting up points. From my perspective, he hasn't done nearly enough work on those things, which makes him not very valuable when he's not scoring goals. He needs to follow the mould of Backlund, who was told early by Sutter that he's not gifted enough to be a purely offensive player, so he'd better learn the defensive side of the game extremely well to stay in the league. I wish Sutter would pull Bennett aside and give him the same talk.

At the end of the day, Bennett's responsible for his own performance. Some of his old bad habits have not gone away, and he hasn't learned how to play much more effectively in the NHL yet. Not sure why, but it's up to him at this point.

[The Fonz]

I was sure that the beard would put him over the top this season. What a piss off.

[GioforPM]

It's easy to say "put him with NHL calibre players". But to elevate him meant putting Ferland (who was killing it most of the year) or Tkachuk onto the third line. I wouldn't move Frolik from Backlund either - they work too well together and I'm not putting Bennett against top lines yet. Basically, the Flames weren't in a position to experiment much this year.

Not to mention Jankowski is supposedly a top young player on this team as well. And they had Bennett with the GOAT as well.

[Flames Fan, Ph.D.]

Needs a faster release.

He neutralizes strong aspects of his game by needing 4 seconds to wind up for a wrist shot.

[The Boy Wonder]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

It's easy to say "put him with NHL calibre players". But to elevate him meant putting Ferland (who was killing it most of the year) or Tkachuk onto the third line. I wouldn't move Frolik from Backlund either - they work too well together and I'm not putting Bennett against top lines yet. Basically, the Flames weren't in a position to experiment much this year.

Not to mention Jankowski is supposedly a top young player on this team as well. And they had Bennett with the GOAT as well.

This point just doesn’t sit well with me because we finished 13 points out of the playoffs... the flames were in every position to shake things up and experiment.

I know that’s easy to say in hindsight but honestly I don’t think the results would’ve been much different if you switch bennnett and ferland for the first half of the year, or Bennett and frolik yes Bennett maybe doesn’t score 20 but maybe he does.

But the flames had 1? Winning streak longer than 3 games all season. That should give the coach lots of opportunities to try new things.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by The Boy Wonder

This point just doesn’t sit well with me because we finished 13 points out of the playoffs... the flames were in every position to shake things up and experiment.

I know that’s easy to say in hindsight but honestly I don’t think the results would’ve been much different if you switch bennnett and ferland for the first half of the year, or Bennett and frolik yes Bennett maybe doesn’t score 20 but maybe he does.

But the flames had 1? Winning streak longer than 3 games all season. That should give the coach lots of opportunities to try new things.

They were still fighting for a PO spot right up until the injuries started piling up - then they fell out fast. Guess what happened to Bennett then? Why, he was put on the first and second lines.

[tvp2003]

One interesting stat that i overheard on the fan a few weeks back was that Sam Bennett (i can't find anything online to back this up) was second on the flames in high danger scoring chances. How he didn't have more to show for it definitely feels like it's a confidence issue for me..... If we see this trend continue, i suppose we can look at his raw skill (shooting, etc) and determine it's not NHL grade, but i don't think that's the problem.

On one hand, this quote is reassuring. On the other hand, it's quite concerning. The Sam Bennett I've watched for the past few seasons simply doesn't have an elite or even an above average NHL shot/release. Certainly nothing like Monahan or even a guy like Ferland. As such, I have a hard time seeing him even being a regular 20-goal guy, and unless he's able to generate more offence (due to personal improvement and/or a better system/coach), he'll likely max out as an effective a third line winger.

If you need proof, just watch Jankowski's play this year. I don't think his line mates were any better than Sam's, and he -- as a rookie -- was playing center instead of the wing. Yet, look at the kind of goals he was able to snipe, versus the goals that Bennett has scored. I just don't think Sam currently has the tools to be a top-six scoring forward, and for that reason will likely never reach that high potential that we all thought he had. It's unfortunate, but I agree that expectations need to be dropped significantly and if he manages to eventually exceed them, then good on him.

[Hot_Flatus]

Terrible penalties, ridiculous amounts of offensive zone turnovers and a complete inability to get even moderate quality pucks on net consistently is a tell tale sign that this kid is toast.

Unless a new coach comes in and somehow completely revives his game, the Flames will end up dumping this kid for last nights leftovers by mid season next year. I don't want Sam Bennett on this roster if he can't bring anything more than what he's shown the last two years. Not good enough and players like him are part of the reason this teams is falling woefully short.

[Vinny01]

Not convinced trading him is the right move but this season was tough no doubt about it.

I wouldn’t be surprised if both sides were ready to move on. I still fear he will figure it out and become a top 6 forward (days of hoping for a number 1 centre have passed). I would prefer to move him out of Canada and to the east if thst is the case.

It is really too bad. I was so happy when he fell to the Flames at 4.

[Sylvanfan]

I get the impression that he can still become a pretty good NHL player. But it won't happen in Calgary. The pressure of the situation, or whatever it seems like a change of scenery might ultimately help him out. Early on he looked like a guy who'd be every bit as good or better than Sean Monahan, but he hasn't been able to sustain it.

Right now the trade value likely isn't there...you might get a second round pick for him...same thing you tossed aside last year for Curtis Lazar. So do you take the chance and take that...or do you maybe try starting him on one of the top two lines as a winger next year?

I really don't know.

[yourbestfriend]

Originally Posted by Hot_Flatus

Terrible penalties, ridiculous amounts of offensive zone turnovers and a complete inability to get even moderate quality pucks on net consistently is a tell tale sign that this kid is toast.

Unless a new coach comes in and somehow completely revives his game, the Flames will end up dumping this kid for last nights leftovers by mid season next year. I don't want Sam Bennett on this roster if he can't bring anything more than what he's shown the last two years. Not good enough and players like him are part of the reason this teams is falling woefully short.

I don't see how a coach can help Sam become a better finisher or develop his hockey IQ. Those are things that Sam needs to develop himself with a skills coach over the summer or during the year (ie. Darryl Belfry, Adam Oates)

To be pretty blunt, his offensive instincts and habits are still junior mentality and he hasn't been able to translate that to the NHL. Trying to toe drag guys every time you enter the blue line is not going to work against NHL defenesemen. Slowing down when gaining the blue line also doesn't work because NHL forwards back-check like crazy. Other than the odd time those 2 moves work, he can't generate offense at the NHL level. His release is also too slow to become an effective shooter from the dots in (like Monahan and Ferland). His frame also doesn't allow him to play like Tkachuk and hold onto the puck for prolonged periods of time. So that essentially leaves him at a dump and chase and jam-the-puck-in kinda player, which is exactly what he was this year.

I also don't buy the not having NHL level teammate excuse. When you draft a guy 4th overall, you expect him to make his line mates better. The expectation was for him to carry a guy like Brouwer.
We have a guy on our team who did just that. Tkachuk was more or less a passenger during his rookie season, but transitioned to the driver of the 3M line during his 2nd season, who has now outgrown that line from an offensive potential. Even when he isn't producing points, we can see that Tkachuk is making plays and generating chances for his team mates.

Bottom line, I have no idea what to do with Bennett. This year, expectations were high from everyone (Tre, Gully, fans etc) but another disappointing season where it seemed like there was no growth in him as a player. I want to see him succeed and live up the player we all thought he was going to be but it seems like that may never happen.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

He's too young to give up on. Especially considering how poor his line mates have been for the most part. He needs to bring more but he also needs better opportunity. If those two combine he could still break out.

Such a bad idea by GG to keep Bennett and Jankowski together but play them with guys like Hathaway. Easier to raise the confidence of both if they play with someone who can drive the offence like JG or Tkachuk.

You could try
Gaudreau-Monahan-Bennett
or
Tkachuk-Jankowski-Bennett
or even
Bennett-Backlund-Frolik
or
Tkachuk-Monahan-Foo/New player
Gaudreau-Bennett-Ferland

Basically anything you can imagine is a better opportunity than what GG gave Bennett for the majority of the year. Anything is better than Bennett-Jankowski-Hathaway. Yeah put two young guys struggling with confidence together with a grinder and watch them fail and fail. Brilliant stuff by GG this year.

Can't trade Bennett. His trade value is lower than his potential upside for us is. It makes no sense

[FiveSeven]

I’m willing to wager $500 that Bennett will post career high numbers next season.
If anyone is sure he’s done or a bust then should be a easy bet to take.

[FiveSeven]

Stupid phone. Double post.

[yourbestfriend]

Originally Posted by FiveSeven

I’m willing to wager $500 that Bennett will post career high numbers next season.
If anyone is sure he’s done or a bust then should be a easy bet to take.

With another team, it probably will happen.
But I can't see it happening if the Flames go into next year with the same lineup.

[dino7c]

If Bennett need to play with JG to be a half decent player he probably isn't very good

[Roof-Daddy]

Oh the Flames 2014 draft infuriates me like so many before.

Not that anybody thought we should take anyone but Sam at #4 where it looked like we might have gotten a steal, but it's just our luck that he is fizzling out hard. Imagine getting Ehlers or Pasternak out of that 1st round instead?

Never mind the disaster of a 2nd round. Demko should have the easy pick over McDonald who the Flames nabbed 2 picks earlier.

Hunter smith? Next pick....Brandon Montour....already playing top 4 minutes on a playoff teams blue line. Brandon Hickey? Just a few picks later Tampa takes Calgary's own Brayden Point who is a flourishing top 6 center on a legit Cup contender.

Just the typical stroll through Flames past drafts full of misses and whiffs. This team doesn't miss the playoffs this season if they have studs like Ehlers and Point on the roster instead of duds like Bennett and Hunter Smith.

/rant

[GordonBlue]

Originally Posted by FiveSeven

I’m willing to wager $500 that Bennett will post career high numbers next season.
If anyone is sure he’s done or a bust then should be a easy bet to take.

nobody would be dumb enough to take that bet considering how low his point totals were this year. nobody is saying he's complete crap, just a bust for his pedigree and draft position.

even at his development, it should be easy enough for him to get 27 points next year.
try making a brave declaration at least, and say he'll get 50 points.

then look for a bet. and instead of money to you, step up and make it a bet for a payment to a charitable organization.

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

Right now the trade value likely isn't there...you might get a second round pick for him...same thing you tossed aside last year for Curtis Lazar. So do you take the chance and take that...or do you maybe try starting him on one of the top two lines as a winger next year?

He's shown more than Lazar in his short career, and he has the draft pedigree. Doug MacLean was commenting earlier in the season that some teams are interested in Bennett. So I don't think you go out and trade with whoever will give you a 2nd rounder. When teams ask about him, you listen to their offer. If you get something that has promise, like someone else's young player your scouts like who isn't reaching his potential, you make the deal.

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

Can't trade Bennett. His trade value is lower than his potential upside for us is. It makes no sense

Not if his value will be even lower in another season or two.

This is a classic case of a player needing a change of scenery. And if he really is a bust, you want to move him while he still has some value. Lots of cases of players drafted this high getting a decent return at draft+4, and then getting worse and worse returns as they bounce around the league. You think the Isles aren't glad they got rid of Griffin Reinhart when they did? Or the Blue Jackets that they got something for Gilbert Brule? Should the Isles have hung onto Ryan Strome? Trading Bennett this off-season may actually be selling high.