The Legend of Sam Bennett

[GioforPM]

There's truth to the argument that Bennett wasn't handled properly by various coaches (including Sutter BTW). That said, there had to also be some onus on Bennett to impact, and impact hard when he was picked 4OA and first got to the Flames. He didn't kick the doors down. And he had serious flaws in his play that people here noticed (and so did the staff I'm sure). The tunnel vision, the toe drags at the blue line, etc.

He's doing fine in Fla (though as people have noted, not a star in the regular season). But part of that might just be him getting traded and being happier, plus thinking he had to get his act together and perform in his second chance.

I've said a few times, I don't hate ex Flames but I also don't obsess over them and follow their careers even if I liked them here. I've seen too many come and go to be too attached.

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

He's doing fine in Fla (though as people have noted, not a star in the regular season). But part of that might just be him getting traded and being happier, plus thinking he had to get his act together and perform in his second chance.

This why grading trades is often a fool’s game. Just because a player did much better on Team B than they did on Team A doesn’t mean he would have seen that same improvement if he’d stayed on Team A.

Eric Duhatschek, who’s been covering NHL trades for more than 40 years, has written many columns about why ‘change of scenery’ trades work. In a lot of cases, moving to a new team is necessary to bring out the better player. They were never going to make that jump in their original team.

[dustygoon]

Treliving trades Bennett less than a week after these comments.

"I’m happy playing under Darryl," said Bennett. "I think I’ve gotten more opportunity and I’ve been able to play my game a little bit more."

Has the new coach breathed new life into him, in terms of how he looks at his future in Calgary?

"Ya, absolutely," he said. "I want to have a big role and important role to help this team win. When I’m playing more I’m playing better and can help the team have success. It definitely makes it fun and makes me enjoy coming to the rink when I have a big role. I’ve definitely been in a better mindset."

Sutter confirmed that in his mind the suggestion that Bennett wants out is old news.

"We went past that the first time I talked to Sam here, so that’s out of the question," said Sutter, who has long been a fan of the type of gritty player Bennett is. "Sam and I are on the same page and away he goes."

The likeliest outcome for Bennett has long revolved around him being snapped up by Seattle in this summer’s expansion draft, making Treliving’s decision on Bennett’s immediate fate an interesting one.

After all, the model the Flames have long been working on to protect forwards Elias Lindholm, Matthew Tkachuk, Andrew Mangiapane, Dillon Dube, Mikael Backlund, Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan from Seattle

https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article...s-role-sutter/

[Zary's-Mustache]

What an awful game and series from Flames legend Sam Bennett.

[dino7c]

Could be a legendary choke

[cam_calderon]

Originally Posted by dino7c

Could be a legendary choke

It would be the first time in almost 70 years if they choke it away.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by cam_calderon

It would be the first time in almost 70 years if they choke it away.

Almost 80.

I think you need to wind your watch.

[cam_calderon]

Originally Posted by Jay Random

Almost 80.

I think you need to wind your watch.

I do indeed. Mathematics was never my strong suit.

[DeluxeMoustache]

Originally Posted by Jay Random

Almost 80.

I think you need to wind your watch.

Umm. Not to be a pedant… Isn’t it a hair over 80?

Maybe a slight wind on watches all around

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by DeluxeMoustache

Umm. Not to be a pedant… Isn’t it a hair over 80?

Maybe a slight wind on watches all around

Right you are. I had a memory glitch and thought it was the 1945 finals, which were also between Detroit and Toronto and also won by Toronto.

But that time, it was the Leafs who took a 3-0 lead and then choked it away before coming back to win game 7. That's the piece of history that I want to see repeat itself.

[AustinL_NHL]

The Legend of Sam Bennett is OFFICIALLY F****** COMPLETE WOOOOH!!!!!!!!

[Johnny Makarov]

I bow to the Legend!

[GranteedEV]

He is a two way top six center. He was matched up to McDavid and Draisaitl whenever Barkov wasn't. All the little things he does get overshadowed by the points watchers

[DeluxeMoustache]

Stanley Cup Champion

All we need to do is get a pic up with him hoisting the Cup, then …



/thread

[GranteedEV]

Hahaha

"I saw Sam Bennett smile today for the first time in two years"

- Paul Maurice
hahaha

[Jore]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

He is a two way top six center. He was matched up to McDavid and Draisaitl whenever Barkov wasn't. All the little things he does get overshadowed by the points watchers

He's the Mike Richards to Barkov's Kopitar

[EVERLAST]

Congrats Benny!!!

[dammage79]

It's no longer 18 year old Sam Bennet. It's now Stanley Cup Champion Sam Bennett.


That's Sir Bennett to you.

[Two Fivenagame]

Imagine winning the cup at 18 yo..

[DazzlinDino]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

He is a two way top six center. He was matched up to McDavid and Draisaitl whenever Barkov wasn't. All the little things he does get overshadowed by the points watchers

"But I thought he was a replacement level player?"

Good for him he deserves it, he's living up to his draft.