If Kingston is out, should the Flames bring in Bennett

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Dr. Doom

...If 10 games is 10 games (between regular + playoffs) for this reason alone I could see them sending him to ADK first so that they can get a possible couple rounds out of him before having to even think about burning a year on his ELC. I mean if they bring him up now and Flames do well in the playoffs would they actually burn a year on him to keep him in the playoffs???????????

Yes, they actually would. Playoff games count, and in Bennett's case if the Flames make it to round two then it is likely if he plays that he will become a RFA in 2017. But that in itself is not a bad problem to have. Realistically all the extra year does is buy time in a perfect scenario for the team to add complimentary players for a championship run. Will the Flames be in a position to make a run three years from now? Possibly, but doubtful. Will having to pay Bennett in two years instead of three work against that possibility? Not likely.

[HelloHockeyFans]

Bring him to the NHL and put him in the lineup if he shows the commitment required during practice (I have no doubts about that) AND someone in the line up now falters. Don't think it'll be good for the team if the kid comes up and automatically gets a spot, but if someone is underperforming or they feel Bennett would provide more, then definitely slot him in.

[polak]

Bennett is better than at least 80% of our team.

[Azhouse]

(chants) NHL NHL NHL!

[ForeverFlameFan]

I would prefer him to play in the AHL, get more playing time. Guarantee he makes the team next season, so what's the rush?

[ComixZone]

Iggy started his career in the playoffs.

Bring on Bennett. He'll bring a jump to our game and will help our 2nd PP unit.

[Bandwagon In Flames]

At this time of the year you need as many fresh bodies as you can get. Bennett is fresh but also had enough playing time this year to jump straight into the NHL in my eyes. I'm sure plenty of Flames can use recovery days anyways and won't be opposed to a healthy scratch.

[hockey.modern]

Well if things go well, and the Winnipeg game doesn't mean anything, let him play that game.

[Sec218]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

This is pretty much all that's being talked about in the other thread, just FYI.

The other thread is a joke, with it being derailed by Leafs fans that want to trade for Bennett.

[GoJetsGo]

He was rated the #1 player in the draft by quite a few people / outlets.

With that said, it's not unreasonable he sees NHL action more immediately than the majority of others his age would.

He was sent down to the OHL after surgery and tore it up like he was a man among boys.

There's no need to send him to the AHL now. With his talent level, he's earned a shot at the big show and the Flames are a team that is very shallow in offensive talent beyond their top line.

Seems like a no-brainer.

[Bingo]

I certainly don't want to start a Baertschi thread, but the mental make up of these players is completely different.

I don't see a repeat of that expectation issue because
a) the management is different now
b) the players are different
c) the team is completely different

[automaton 3]

This is nothing like the Baertschi situation.

Bennett was already up with the team and practiced with them for weeks. He knows the players, he knows the coaching staff, he knows the systems. Hartley dresses players based on hard work and merit.

I would expect that if he gets in the lineup, he'd start on 3rd line wing and will need to earn his keep, just like how Hartley has treated the other young players.

If he shines he'll work his way up the lineup. If he flounders he'll soon find himself sitting.

[Fozzie_DeBear]

Goooo North Bay

[ricardodw]

The preparation, focus and distractions that Monahan and Gaudreau and Brodie and Ferland and Granlund and are being exposed to now in this playoff chase and the actual playoffs are like nothing that they have ever been exposed to.

Bennett was playing in front of 3400 people in Kingston for the playoffs.... He missed the WJC so his biggest games have been the NHL exhibition games.

It would be more beneficial career-wise if Bennett were part of the NHL playoff atmosphere and get ready as though he was playing.

[polak]

Also adding a legitimate scoring threat in Bennett to take off some of the pressure from the P. Diddy line ( please can that stick?) would be exactly what the Flames need right now.

All we do is complain about the lack of secondary scoring and now we will have the chance to add some at no cost and were not jumping all over it? Dumb.

[Geeoff]

I'd put him in the NHL but I wouldn't be upset if he was in the AHL either. He should definitely play in one or the other. Would be a shame to "off season" him to save a contract year.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by polak

the P. Diddy line ( please can that stick?)

[polak]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

Well as long as we don't "brangelina" it, I'll be happy.

[Gaudreau]

As long as they bring him in against the oilers or coyotes I'm all for it.

[flambers]

I would think the Flames will recall Bennett when his Junior team is eliminated.

Doesn't mean he would play, but he would be recalled.