Sam Bennett as a center or winger?

[Tinordi]

Don't know what he's shown to make you believe in him. He's consistently two steps behind the play which explains all the penalties. He's shown almost no NHL level offensive hockey sense. He can't set up a play to save his life, he can't find a seam or put himself in the position to finish a play. I can't even tell you if he has a good shot or not, barely seen him even get into a position to get one off. All he's really shown is the occasional nice individual effort where he carries the puck in with some dangles. Essentially his offense is almost completely off the rush. To me there's very little besides blind optimism and increasingly strained draft pedigree that would lead one to believe in him as a player.

At this point the best we can hope for is a former fourth overall Andrew Ladd type grit monster but it's looking increasingly like he's a Chad Kilger fourth overall.

Would love to be proven wrong. The Flames also own a huge role in this debacle. They've screwed the development up huge. Maybe if he gets a chance with skilled players this will go right. But ALOT had to go right for the pick to be even salvage quality.

[bubbsy]

Originally Posted by Bingo

I keep thinking about the off season and how Gulutzan pointed to Bennett twice as a guy he was expecting big things from. You don't say that about projects that you're about to run out of town.

They think he's close, and believe in the guy.

I don't know if I've seen a player so effected by confidence as this kid though. He needs a bounce or two so he can relax and then just play his game.

Baertchi. His fate would be a lot different if he potted a few early on in the last few years as a flame.

Bennett looks more like that kid from the playoffs 2 years ago.

They gotta move him into the top 6. Sticking to principles is the wrong way of dealing with him. Put him on a line where he doesn't have to drive things. Let his confidence grow.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by rain_e

Fine Ferland deserves to be on the team but he definitely isn't a first line winger. I wrote that out of frustration after reading all the garbage ageing written about Bennett.

If it came down to choosing either Ferland or Bennett on this team does the majority really feel like Ferland is the better player? They have played a similar amount of games and had very similar production.

I think it would be a huge mistake to give up on Bennett via trade how they were discussing on Sportsnet.

Right now?

Head and shoulders better and it isnt even a discussion.

Bennett might have a higher ceiling, but if that ceiling isn't realized, then what difference does it make? Ferland all day every day in that scenario.

Management has to have a real honest discussion with themselves if this continues throughout the season.

Hopefully the return of 68 finally gets Sam over the hump and gives him a little confidence, which allows him to build himself and his game up moving forward. Otherwise he is a really dark cloud among a pretty bright future for this team.

[rain_e]

Originally Posted by transplant99

Right now?

Head and shoulders better and it isnt even a discussion.

Bennett might have a higher ceiling, but if that ceiling isn't realized, then what difference does it make? Ferland all day every day in that scenario.

Management has to have a real honest discussion with themselves if this continues throughout the season.

Hopefully the return of 68 finally gets Sam over the hump and gives him a little confidence, which allows him to build himself and his game up moving forward. Otherwise he is a really dark cloud among a pretty bright future for this team.

Interesting I just don't see it. Put Bennett in Ferland spot on the first line since the start of the season and I think this discussion wouldn't be happening. It's too late for that but hopefully something happens for the kid and he isn't shipped out of here.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by transplant99

Right now?

Head and shoulders better and it isnt even a discussion.

Bennett might have a higher ceiling, but if that ceiling isn't realized, then what difference does it make? Ferland all day every day in that scenario.

Management has to have a real honest discussion with themselves if this continues throughout the season.

Hopefully the return of 68 finally gets Sam over the hump and gives him a little confidence, which allows him to build himself and his game up moving forward. Otherwise he is a really dark cloud among a pretty bright future for this team.

Man, what a short-sighted argument.

By this same logic, I assume you also prefer Brouwer on the team over Bennett because Brouwer is also playing better right now, right? I mean, like you said, if (potential) isn't realized , what difference does it make?

Fans are so ridiculously short-sighted.

Part of the process of building a good team is developing players. At no time ever are you going to have your whole team all at their peak at the same time. Some players are going to be in decline, and some just developing. Sam isn't there yet, but developing him, getting him there, is the best thing for the organization.

And yes, I would MUCH rather have Bennett on the team (and on the top line for that matter) than Ferland. And I am a big fan of Ferland.

[Flash Walken]

I can't believe that I am saying this right now but absolutely Ferland is the better prospect/player at this point.

He's demonstrated he can play pretty much anywhere in the lineup and not kill the line he's on. That's relatively valuable.

[Enoch Root]

If Ferland were in another organization, would you trade Bennett for him?

I just can't believe how much 'what have you done for me lately' rules most fans.

[Itse]

I don't see what's the rush some fans are having with Bennett. It's not like he's the one guy that needs to step up, or the biggest problem in our roster.

He is only the biggest problem when you compare the hopes with reality, but that isn't something that needs to be immediately solved. Sure he's not creating offense, but at least his line is mostly creating energy, and that's better than what the 4th line can do most of the time. That's 2-3 guys that seriously need to be better or out of the lineup.

For simplicity, I would argue he's creating as much energy as Lazar, and more energy than anyone in the 4th line. He's also creating at least a bit more offense than Lazar.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Man, what a short-sighted argument.

By this same logic, I assume you also prefer Brouwer on the team over Bennett because Brouwer is also playing better right now, right? I mean, like you said, if (potential) isn't realized , what difference does it make?

Fans are so ridiculously short-sighted.

Part of the process of building a good team is developing players. At no time ever are you going to have your whole team all at their peak at the same time. Some players are going to be in decline, and some just developing. Sam isn't there yet, but developing him, getting him there, is the best thing for the organization.

And yes, I would MUCH rather have Bennett on the team (and on the top line for that matter) than Ferland. And I am a big fan of Ferland.

LOL!!!

So you aren't a fan then...what are you?

[Karl]

4th line is BY FAR the team's biggest concern right now.

All 3 of those forwards are struggling to continue to keep up with the pace of the NHL.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

If Ferland were in another organization, would you trade Bennett for him?

I just can't believe how much 'what have you done for me lately' rules most fans.

It's not that. At all. And its what makes your short sighted comment so laughable.

The guy has done next to nothing for a year now...this isnt a small sample size.

Sure he had a decent start a couple years ago and showed some kind of something in the playoffs last year, but beyond that? Zip. Thats just the truth on him this far, as much as rose colored glasses fans dont want to admit it. (See i can call people i disagree with names too!)

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by transplant99

LOL!!!

So you aren't a fan then...what are you?

Ooh, ZING! You got me!

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Ooh, ZING! You got me!

It's not difficult, believe me.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by transplant99

It's not that. At all. And its what makes your short sighted comment so laughable.

The guy has done next to nothing for a year now...this isnt a small sample size.

Sure he had a decent start a couple years ago and showed some kind of something in the playoffs last year, but beyond that? Zip. Thats just the truth on him this far, as much as rose colored glasses fans dont want to admit it. (See i can call people i disagree with names too!)

I'll just leave you with your own comment.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

I'll just leave you with your own comment.

I have no idea what you mean by this...other than he hasnt done enough thus far. Which is all most have said, yet you take umbrage with.

The guy, realistically, should be in Stockton but there is no way to make that happen so he stays up and continues to underwhelm.

Again, I hoe like hell he turns it around and soon or he may be damaged beyond repair as happens with young guys who dont find success early on. The league is littered with examples through the years.

[Karl]

[Bunk]

Originally Posted by Karl

4th line is BY FAR the team's biggest concern right now.

All 3 of those forwards are struggling to continue to keep up with the pace of the NHL.

3rd and 4th lines are big concerns. We need more scoring production, especially from the 3rd line for this team to be successful. 4th line needs to “do no harm” at a minimum, and chip in offensively from time to time.

[Itse]

Originally Posted by transplant99

It's not that. At all. And its what makes your short sighted comment so laughable.

The guy has done next to nothing for a year now...this isnt a small sample size.

Sure he had a decent start a couple years ago and showed some kind of something in the playoffs last year, but beyond that? Zip.

I think he was pretty good in the playoffs last year too. 2 goals in 4 games and I think he played fine.

13+13 points last season is pretty average 3rd line numbers. It's not what people are hoping, but it's not zip.

So while right now he's playing bad, I would argue that the larger sample size says he's an okay player playing really bad right now, with potential to be a lot better.

[Anduril]

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/w...d-sam-bennett/

By Berkshire. Doesn't say too much more than what most Flames fans are aware of it still a decent read.

[dissentowner]

Bennett will break out eventually, I still have high hopes for him, just not so much as a C now.