QOTD: The Bennett Situation

[Cali Panthers Fan]

I say let him get at least 1 or 2 games, then send him back. I want him to be exposed to the NHL a little so he can train for next season and come to camp ready. He shouldn't have a problem playing limited minutes for a couple of games.

The bulk of his time should be spent in the OHL. Let him compete there, get his game shape back, and go on as long of a playoff run as he can. If his season ends early he can play a few games for Adirondack to get more exposure to the pro game. Physically he will need to bulk up over the summer and playing against pros will make him aware of what he needs to work on.

He didn't look out of place in camp, and would have likely made the team if not for the injury. That being said, the more important season is next year, as this year is purely gravy for the Flames and their fans. Physical readiness will be his only stumbling block to making the team, as he clearly had the skill to compete right now. Really looking forward to next camp when he, Baertschi, Poirier, and Arnold will all be pushing for jobs.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by Camronius

Is there no option where we can send him for a conditioning stint with the baby flames, then make a decision?

Yes, they could send him on a conditioning assignment to Adirondack, but why? Send him to Kingston, and if the Frontenacs are eliminated early, then send him to Addy on an ATO to end the season.

Originally Posted by devo22

Yeah, but it's going to be another few weeks until Bennett is good to go. Impossible to predict how the situation is going to be at that point. A couple of injuries and there's room.

Won't be disappointed if he goes straight to Kingston though.

While true, the odds of us suffering the number of injuries to centres (again) required to create a spot for Bennett is very low. Even then, what is better? fourth line minutes in the NHL, or top line in the OHL?

[Poe969]

I accidentally voted for the wrong thing.... I think he should just play in Kingston. I think it would be good for his confidence to dominate down in the O and it'll make him work even harder to get back to a level he was at before. No need to rush things right now. Next year he'll have his chance to make a permanent impression.

[ForeverFlameFan]

He's already missed enough OHL time, just send him down right away.

[Finger Cookin]

I think it would be funny if Bennett and Baertschi show some insane chemistry next training camp and end up making the team together.

[#-3]

I went with let him audition, but it really depends on the healthy of the Flames if they are still 100% injury free in a week. It might be send him straight down.

[freakinsaprikin]

Send him down to the AHL for some conditioning, if that doesn't go well you can still send him to the OHL. If he looks good there, bring him up and see how that goes.

[corporatejay]

How does the 9 game audition work? Can we use it next year? Can we use 2 games this year and then 7 next?

I voted send him back, but I'm just curious.

[undercoverbrother]

So much of sport is confidence.

Send him back, let him get confidence in his skills and his body.

[cDnStealth]

There isn't a good enough reason to rush him into the line-up. Send him down and if he plays well enough maybe call him up later in the season.

[Five-hole]

My hope is a conditioning stint in the AHL, then a 1-9 game tryout in the NHL. If he's ready, keep him, but that's unlikely.

If he's sent down to the OHL immediately I won't have anything against the decision, but as a fan I'll selfishly be a tiny bit disappointed.

[devo22]

Originally Posted by corporatejay

How does the 9 game audition work? Can we use it next year? Can we use 2 games this year and then 7 next?

I voted send him back, but I'm just curious.

It resets every year his contract can slide. Even if he plays 9 games this year, it's the situation next season and he can play 9 again before a year of his ELC is burned.

[Erick Estrada]

I simply don't see any positives to having him suit up for the Flames. There is no room on the roster first and foremost and he's not physically ready and needs to play with kids his size. No point in RNH'ing the kid.

[Camronius]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Yes, they could send him on a conditioning assignment to Adirondack, but why? Send him to Kingston, and if the Frontenacs are eliminated early, then send him to Addy on an ATO to end the season.

While true, the odds of us suffering the number of injuries to centres (again) required to create a spot for Bennett is very low. Even then, what is better? fourth line minutes in the NHL, or top line in the OHL?

I'll admit I'm a bit ignorant on the rules of shipping a player up and down especially when it comes to the OHL, however I don't recall ever seeing a player sent down to the O and then pulled back to an NHL roster.

My thought is that he definitely isn't NHL game shape ready, so plugging him directly into the NHL roster won't work. A conditioning stint with the baby flames, gives him a taste of pro hockey and gives the NHL club an opportunity to see where he's at and determine if it's still appropriate to give him his 9 games.

I guess it's the middle ground, I don't think directly to the NHL is feasible. Dropping him directly to the OHL -in my mind- removes possibility of any NHL time this year.

[nik-]

I voted send him down right away, but I'd actually prefer he get rewarded with an AHL conditioning stint before he's sent down. Give him some bucks, let him experience the pro game first hand, a little easier than the NHL level, and then let him finish out the year in Kingston and come back to camp next year.

[Vinny01]

"Always earned, never given"

I am hoping for the 2 week AHL conditioning stint to see how he does. After that unless he is totally outclassed give him 1 NHL game to give him a taste. If he continues to light it up give him 9 games. If the team is still in the playoff race and he is playing meaningful minutes then Treliving makes the call one way or another.

Personally I don't want to burn a year off his deal unless he comes in a rips it up at ppg pace and we look destined for the playoffs. If he rips it up and we are out of it I would rather he get sent back to play on the OHL playoffs.

[btimbit]

I say send him down right away. Season is half over, what's the hurry?

[Kaine]

Voted give him 9 games then make the call as it was the closest option I felt. I could see him playing a few games, perhaps more than one but he should most certainly be sent down after. No point risking a reinjury this far into the season.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by Camronius

I'll admit I'm a bit ignorant on the rules of shipping a player up and down especially when it comes to the OHL, however I don't recall ever seeing a player sent down to the O and then pulled back to an NHL roster.

My thought is that he definitely isn't NHL game shape ready, so plugging him directly into the NHL roster won't work. A conditioning stint with the baby flames, gives him a taste of pro hockey and gives the NHL club an opportunity to see where he's at and determine if it's still appropriate to give him his 9 games.

I guess it's the middle ground, I don't think directly to the NHL is feasible. Dropping him directly to the OHL -in my mind- removes possibility of any NHL time this year.

Yes, dropping him to the OHL would elminate any NHL time - unless we reached a certain number of injuries to our forwards such that the rules would permit an emergency recall, such as happened with Baertschi. The OHL is no different than the WHL or QMJHL in this regard. That is all managed via the NHL-CHL-AHL agreement.

The only reason he could go to Adirondack, for up to two weeks, is the fact that he is still technically on the Flames roster and the CBA allows for conditioning stints following long-term injuries. A conditioning stint is different from a demotion, and is an exception to that CHL agreement.

[automaton 3]

Will he not practice with the Flames as part of his rehab? How he performs in practice would give a better idea where his game is at and where he should be playing.

If he looks good in practice I see him at least getting a conditioning stint in the A.

This kid is a thoroughbred, I personally think he'll earn is way into the big club for at least a cup of coffee this year.