Practice notes Dec 13

[TheScorpion]

https://twitter.com/user/status/1205585365660102656

[Strange Brew]

These lineup decisions are interesting.

Just my opinion, but neither Bennett not Czarnik are good enough to be automatic in’s. I think it’s a game by game, opponent by opponent decision.

Long term, I like Bennett over Jankowski or Reider. But maybe I’m in no rush to switch things up either.

[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by 442scotty

Bennett gets a chance to shine playing for Ward. If he can’t get his game going this year he’s probably gone.

Disagree.

I would still want to keep Bennett in my pocket to take advantage of playoff Bennett, even if he doesn't blossom into that 40 point guy under Ward.

He's been arguably one of the top 3 performers in every playoff series we've played in since his rookie season.

That said, I wouldnt hesitate to press box him the odd game moving forward if warranted.

[TheScorpion]

Bennett still has a place on this team going forward, especially if two or three of Frolik, Czarnik, Jankowski, and Rieder walk after the season. He's a safer bet to be productive going forward than any of those guys and he brings a physical aspect that not many others on this team possess. He can also play both centre and wing.

That's a macro sense, though. Right now, I agree with the other posters -- he doesn't go in until it's clear that someone deserves to sit.

[Vinny01]

I think Bennett can be one of the key pieces in a Hall trade (along with a young D and picks) but if that is not the case he is very valuable to have in big games and the playoffs.

[Tyler]

Rinaldo has already supplanted Bennett's usefulness at a fraction of his price.

Dump the bust and use the cap space to get someone at the deadline.

[TheScorpion]

Bennett's career high is 36 points in a season

Rinaldo has 40 points in his whole career and is over six years older

[atb]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

I think Bennett can be one of the key pieces in a Hall trade (along with a young D and picks) but if that is not the case he is very valuable to have in big games and the playoffs.

Agreed, he's the type of player the Flames need in their lineup come playoff time. You look at having a mix of Bennett, Lucic, Rinaldo, Hamonic and Stone and suddenly the team doesn't look as soft as past post-seasons.

[SeanCharles]

Gaudreau-Monahan-Backlund
Tkachuk-Lindholm-Mangiapane
Lucic-Ryan-Dube
Reider-Bennett-Frolik

I can't believe ppl are seriously saying Jankowski is more valuable than Bennett.

Janko can PK yes but so can Lindholm, Backlund, Frolik, Reider, Ryan..

I get he adds alot of value on the PK but with 1pt on the season I'm not keeping him in over Bennett.

[Gaskal]

Dube when asked on who picked today's playlist:

"I was asking that... I know Looch loved it though, he was singing the whole time."

[TheIronMaiden]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

Why Rieder? He has as many points as Bennett does and has been noticeably good.

Jankowski is the first guy out, IMO.

Purely speculation, but I wouldn't be surprised if Dube is the first to sit.

[Redrum]

Originally Posted by Tyler

Rinaldo has already supplanted Bennett's usefulness at a fraction of his price.

Dump the bust and use the cap space to get someone at the deadline.

Good for 2 games, and is still benched the next game in his 9th season as a fringe player. Seems like a legit break out...

[EVERLAST]

Glad this team has its Gatorade and swagger back.
Our top guys can just play hockey now....this team feels similar to teams I watched in 1986,1989 and 2004.

Good young fast talent
Hungry motivated determined vets
Coaches that the players are buying in for .
Great goaltending
Depth

See those ingredients....and still an underdog to boot.

[keenan87]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

Bennett's career high is 36 points in a season

Rinaldo has 40 points in his whole career and is over six years older

Give me a break. Bennett had 36 points, 4 years ago... and is on pace for another 25sh point season. Rieder's career high is 37 points, so is he better than Bennett? (really, he is only 2-3 years older than Bennett)

I would rather have Bennett over Rinaldo.. but that comparison is pretty silly. Bennett is a 25-30 point player at this point of his career... which is quite frankly not worth $2.55 million a year.

[camm13]

I haven't thought of Bennett once during this streak till he was mentioned in this thread.

[CsInMyBlood]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

Look, I get he has played better as of late but he has one damn assist on the year. You don't keep Sam Bennett out of the lineup for that. He kills penalties? Whoop, so does half of the rest of the roster. I was as big a supporter as anyone for Janko but he is a bust. He certainly should not be in the lineup ahead of Bennett once he is good to go.

Originally Posted by SeanCharles

Gaudreau-Monahan-Backlund
Tkachuk-Lindholm-Mangiapane
Lucic-Ryan-Dube
Reider-Bennett-Frolik

I can't believe ppl are seriously saying Jankowski is more valuable than Bennett.

Janko can PK yes but so can Lindholm, Backlund, Frolik, Reider, Ryan..

I get he adds alot of value on the PK but with 1pt on the season I'm not keeping him in over Bennett.

You guys are aware that Jankowski had a better season than Bennett last year right?

Bennett: 13g, 14a, 27 pts. -6, 93 PIM. 38 giveaways, 25 takeaways.

Janko: 14g, 18a, 32 pts. +6, 12 PIM. 36 giveaways, 49 takeaways.

And this is with Bennett getting 108 mins of PP time to Jankowskis 18 mins.

Not to mention the fact that with Bennett in we ARE going to be playing on the PK because the guy still can't figure out his ridiculous offensive zone penalties.

Jankowski has only played 182 NHL games to Bennetts 332, yet people know Jankowski is a bust? So does that mean Bennett is a bigger bust?

Acting like Janko is so horrible with his 1 point when Bennett has 5 is also laughable.

Seriously the legend of Sam Bennett around here.

[madmike]

Originally Posted by SeanCharles

Bennett in for Jankowski is the only thing that makes sense IMO when Benny is ready to go.

Jankowski has had a rough season, but the guy is still great on the PK. I think they have to keep him in there for that alone.

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by SeanCharles

Gaudreau-Monahan-Backlund
Tkachuk-Lindholm-Mangiapane
Lucic-Ryan-Dube
Reider-Bennett-Frolik

I can't believe ppl are seriously saying Jankowski is more valuable than Bennett.

Janko can PK yes but so can Lindholm, Backlund, Frolik, Reider, Ryan..

I get he adds alot of value on the PK but with 1pt on the season I'm not keeping him in over Bennett.

Wanna know who else is a pretty good Pk player? Sam Bennett.

I dont know, even Jankowski is looking like a new man out there. Whole team is loose and full of new coach juice.

Maybe I could word that better, nah.

Bennett may be streaky as hell but he was also a player early on who was not a problem aside from the penalties. And even then hes been the victim of more than anyone else's fair share of shady calls.

[TheIronMaiden]

You know that times are good when we are debating over who should play on the 4th line.

[Redrum]

Originally Posted by CsInMyBlood

Seriously the legend of Sam Bennett around here.

I don't know about this year since we have a couple more guys to help, but last year Bennett was probably a little busy being this team's lone pillar of toughness. I would hate to see how bad the Flames would have been pushed around without him. So I would argue Janko didn't have a better year because Sam had a more valuable role when it came to team needs. Plus good PKers don't exactly come at a premium. If you can't do much else, you get good at the PK or you're out of a job.