Sam Bennett Potential

[Bunk]

I expect Hubredeau or Landeskog type production (consistent 50-65 pts) as he ramps up - either sticking on centre or being moved to the wing long term. That still seems up in the air. I'm not sure I see a ppg guy, but I'd love to be pleasantly surprised.

[JohnnyTitan]

Sam is already my favourite Flame. Not kidding.

I think the following is mandatory watching for anyone commenting in this thread. (Thanks SOOO much AC!). I've watched it like 10 times.



Quick comments from his 2015/2016 season:
- He had four goals called back. That's insane! At least a couple probably should have been goals...giving him 20 as a rookie
- Most of his assists were of the primary variety and were HIGH talent in my mind. He did all the work and the recipient just banged 'em in. Which leads me to
- His linemates SUCKED! Had he played with even one top-6 NHL talent during his huge draught at centre...you could have added 10 more points to his rookie campaign. How many highlights ended with Mason Raymond falling down or Joe Colbourne missing the net? Good that they were sheltering him in his rookie season - but MAN did he ever have to drive every ounce of offence himself. There was no help for him.

Off-Topic (somewhat) thought:
I was thinking (drooling) about the idea of Tkachuk / Bennett / Bouwer and was trying to think of another example where two pretty young players had success together. While their games do not really match styles...I quickly came up with Max Domi and Anthony Duclair from last year.

They were both 2013 draft-picks, so entering last year they would be of the vintage Sam is this year (with older birthdays). Two full seasons more mature than Tkachuk. I think Matt should probably go back to Junior...but the wildcard might just be Brouwer. Maybe with such an intelligent Vet on the line Tkachuk could last. Either way, by next year this line will happen and they'll be dynamite!

As far as draft pedigree, Domi was #12 overall and Duclair was #80 overall. And they put up 52 points and 44 points in their first NHL season together. Of course -> they weren't fighting for minutes with a true #1 line and another good middle-tier line, but there's the FLOOR for what I think those two could add to the Flames really really soon. (This year?).

As for the OP question, I have no doubt we have a 1a / 1b Centre situation on the Flames. I think Bennett will end-up being the 1a more elite scoring centre. He's an animal with elite skating and hands. Put me in the category that thinks Sam is a perpetual PPG player in this league.

[activeStick]

Smaller, more feisty, more physical version of Colborne with a much better knack for scoring.

[the2bears]

Originally Posted by Mass_nerder

I hate to be negative, but I haven't seen much from Sam Bennett that would lead me to believe he'll ever be as good as everyone here seems to think he will.
He's got a great attitude, but it doesn't seem like his hands can keep up with his feet or his head. I'm also a little worried his body won't hold up to the style he likes to play. Maybe the weight/muscle he put on this summer will help in that respect.

Currently I don't see much more than a 2nd liner who puts up 45-50 points and mucks it up a bit. Not a bad thing to have, but not a top player in the league.

I hope I'm wrong, and everyone else is right though!

So you think this is his ceiling? The best he could possibly be? Because that's the question asked. Seems your answer is more what you think he'll likely be, that's why I ask.

[TheoFleury]

Originally Posted by the2bears

So you think this is his ceiling? The best he could possibly be? Because that's the question asked. Seems your answer is more what you think he'll likely be, that's why I ask.

That's his floor as far as I'm concerned. It's like some people think he won't improve at all. 45 points should be the minimum expectation going into 16/17

[Moneyhands23]

I love Monahan obviously, but I think this may be his last season as the undisputed #1.

Lots of chatter about Bennett and tkachuk playing together. I like the idea of that, but I wonder if tkachuk is fast enough.

I'm interested in seeing Bennett with Johnny as the speed and skill would be sick. Also Bennett is a lot more physical and that's something I think Johnny needs on his line.

That would also leave an interesting pair of Monahan and tkachuk on the 2nd line.

This may be more for next season though.

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by RedWinger89

As the title States, what's the ceiling for Sam? Personally l think he could be a 75-80 point player. Someone who will be a candidate for team Canada tournaments going forward. Thoughts?

Canadian Peter Forsberg. But realistically I will be happy with a Jonathan Toews type.

[Mass_nerder]

Originally Posted by the2bears

So you think this is his ceiling? The best he could possibly be? Because that's the question asked. Seems your answer is more what you think he'll likely be, that's why I ask.

Based on what I've seen so far, yeah.
I hope I'm wrong, and everyone else is right though.

[stemit14]

I could see his ceiling being that of a Claude giroux/Zach Parise/Matt Duchene. At the very least I think he could be a slightly better version of Kadri. Time will tell of course but he has a lot of parallels with these players.


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[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by AltaGuy

I'm pretty much with you on this. I see a player who will be very valuable, but never a great scorer. Maybe a Kesler-type, but maybe without the scoring. Hope I'm wrong though!

I don't see him being the 100+ point producer, more of an all-around game, like Toews.

But to say a Kesler type without the scoring, I just don't get that.

In Kesler's draft year (as an 18 year old), he put up 31 points at Ohio State. That is an NHLe of 26. Three years later at 21, in his full season in the NHL, he put up 23 points (just under his draft-year NHLe).

In Bennett's draft year (as a 17 year old), he put up 91 points in the OHL, for an NHLe of 39 (50% higher than Kesler). Two years later at 19 (after missing almost the entire previous season), he put up 36 points in his first full season (just under his draft-year NHLe).

Kesler had those two big years (playing with the Sedins on the top PP in the NHL), but otherwise has been basically a 50 point guy his entire career.

Bennett has consistently been far more productive than Kesler at the same age and I don't see any reason to think that won't continue.

[Enoch Root]

Kesler was 24 the first time he had a better PPG than Bennett had at 19

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by stemit14

I could see his ceiling being that of a Claude giroux/Zach Parise/Matt Duchene. At the very least I think he could be a slightly better version of Kadri. Time will tell of course but he has a lot of parallels with these players.
lk

Kadri?
Dude, compare their junior seasons, with ages. Compare their nhl rookie season, with their respective ages.

That's really selling Bennett short. Bennet had one more goal then Kadri last year, while being 5 years younger.

[Zoller]

I think Bennett is a better winger. Most of his production last year was playing on the wing with Backlund. Bennett also played 8 years on McDavid's wing growing up so it's technically his natural position. I foresee Bennett struggling as an NHL centre. I like his game though, aggressive and skilled. More of a shooter. Max 30 goals, most likely 20-25, and 25 assists for a 50 to 55 point total. Great second line player.

[Itse]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Kesler was 24 the first time he had a better PPG than Bennett had at 19

Kesler is mostly a 45-55 point guy. He has only scored 60+ points twice. (Just to point out what that comparison means in numbers, I think many seem to forget Kesler isn't generally a high-scoring player.)

I think Bennett has great potential, but more in the sense that he can be a dominant force on the ice, not in the sense that he'll put up a ton of points. I don't really see that kind of high-level hockey IQ in him. (That said, he might develop smarts as he gets older.)

So I'd say his potential is something like a 60 point player, but I don't think he'll reach those points regurarly.

More importantly, Bennett is a guy I can see lighting his team on fire in a crucial moment with his competitiveness. Guys like that can be worth a lot of points, both during the winter grind when motivation can be hard to find, and during the playoffs when so much comes down to your will to fight a little harder than the other team.

So essentially, I see his potential as one of the most valuable players on the team, but not as the leading scorer.

[stemit14]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

Kadri?

Dude, compare their junior seasons, with ages. Compare their nhl rookie season, with their respective ages.



That's really selling Bennett short. Bennet had one more goal then Kadri last year, while being 5 years younger.

You're probably right about his overall production potential being better then Kadri... Poor example. I guess the reason I used Kadri was I could see him being a streaky scorer who puts up highlight goals every year but never seems to find the consistency to put up 60+ points per year.

I definitely think he is more likely to be closer to a giroux/duchene type than a Kadri type. After all... He is still
very young and, as you said, he's already putting up Kadri levels of production.

Glad to hear he has put on some extra muscle... He was already a physical force last year so having that extra weight will give him even more presence on the ice.


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[Bandwagon In Flames]

Bennett most definitely has the potential to surpass Monahan, but I'm not sure he'll ever move up to play with Gaudreau. Monahan isn't as good at creating his own offense, but is very clutch and already has great chemistry with Gaudreau.

He had games last season which showed skill I've never seen from Monahan. That 4 goal game was absolutely amazing. Maybe a couple of the goals were lucky, but just being able to consistently generate those dangerous chances was impressive. Also had some tremendous dekes and is able to create something out of nothing much like Gaudreau. Not to mention he's a very tenacious back checker.

[puckedoff]

I was a doubter of Bennett's potential until I watched the most recent AC highlights video of him.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Itse

Kesler is mostly a 45-55 point guy. He has only scored 60+ points twice. (Just to point out what that comparison means in numbers, I think many seem to forget Kesler isn't generally a high-scoring player.)

I think Bennett has great potential, but more in the sense that he can be a dominant force on the ice, not in the sense that he'll put up a ton of points. I don't really see that kind of high-level hockey IQ in him. (That said, he might develop smarts as he gets older.)

So I'd say his potential is something like a 60 point player, but I don't think he'll reach those points regurarly.

More importantly, Bennett is a guy I can see lighting his team on fire in a crucial moment with his competitiveness. Guys like that can be worth a lot of points, both during the winter grind when motivation can be hard to find, and during the playoffs when so much comes down to your will to fight a little harder than the other team.

So essentially, I see his potential as one of the most valuable players on the team, but not as the leading scorer.

Wasn't he voted the highest hockey IQ in the OHL in his draft year? (just going by memory)

[LTH]

Originally Posted by Mass_nerder

He's got a great attitude, but it doesn't seem like his hands can keep up with his feet or his head.

Sam Bennett has great hands in tight to the net. He is unreal how he can get his stick on pucks and put them towards the net.

[1qqaaz]

I just hope Bennett can stay healthy.

Health is a pretty important factor in player development. Bennett does play a someone "risky" style of hockey, so I just hope he can remain durable.
I'm glad the the surgery went well. Hopefully he progresses well moving forward.

I don't think Bennett has as much offensive potential as some other Flames, but he'll still be a great player.