[Rumour] Dreger: Flames using Sam Bennett as bait to get back into the 1st round

[The Boy Wonder]

Originally Posted by Corral

IMO - Bennett can get you a high 1st rounder if you also agree to take a contract dump. i like Bennett but the Flames planned trajectory into contender status requires him to be a solid top 6 forward by now - they can't wait much longer for him to blossom - so it may be time to cash him in for a top 6 guy who is too expensive elsewhere and recoup the 1st round pick.

Then put him on a line with backlund and tkachuk and watch him improve almost instantly.

Giving a guy who you want to be your top or second line centre only third line minutes and third line instructions for 2 seasons has slowed his progress but I’d wager he becomes an excellent nhler. If not it’s not like I can really hide with him in my avatar.

[rhino]

Originally Posted by The Boy Wonder

Then put him on a line with backlund and tkachuk and watch him improve almost instantly.

Giving a guy who you want to be your top or second line centre only third line minutes and third line instructions for 2 seasons has slowed his progress but I’d wager he becomes an excellent nhler. If not it’s not like I can really hide with him in my avatar.

Finally..... someone who agrees that Bennett needs to play more minutes with better players.

[oldschoolcalgary]

i think most people think Bennett needs to play with better players... he's not a line driver, but that doesn't mean he can't complement a line...

[Braden]

Bennett + Fox for anyspot Tkachuk is still available at

[Monahan For Mayor]

I'd be fine with trading Bennett if it gets us into the top 10. I doubt he can heft that return however.

[locsofblu]

Hmmm after last season I think pretty much anybody can be traded but I would be surprised if Bennett returned anything half decent at this point. May aswell let it ride.

[ignite09]

Originally Posted by Braden

Bennett + Fox for anyspot Tkachuk is still available at

Wishful thinking.

[soulchoice]

Sam is too young to give up on him now. I wouldn't do the deal. Unless it was a top ten pick. Talk about selling low if he was to be traded for a mid to later 1st rounder.

[Toonage]

7 picks in...I think Bennett is safe. They wouldn't dump him for a mid to late round pick. Would they?

[TheScorpion]

Originally Posted by Toonage

7 picks in...I think Bennett is safe. They wouldn't dump him for a mid to late round pick. Would they?

Bennett doesn't have nearly enough value to get into the top ten

[Toonage]

Then we wait...

[cannon7]

I don't do Bennett for a mid-1st. Give the kid a chance with a new coach.

[RT14]

Sure hope this rumour is bogus unless it was only a possibility for a top 5 pick and now stands no chance. I really believe Bennett is going to benefit a ton from a new system and fresh start with a new coach and will look a lot closer to the player we thought he would become in the near future.

[Roof-Daddy]

I can't see Bennett returning a pick in the top 15 even. He's been a disappointment, bottom line.

Probably need a team with multiple 1st round picks too.

Philly -> 14 & 19
Ottawa -> 22
Rangers -> 26 & 28
Detroit -> 30

[JurassicTunga12]

Don't see the point in trading Bennett for a pick. Especially now.
Just keep him or have him in a package of sorts for an upgrade in the top 6.

[Deegee]

Dreger is such a terrible insider. I'd rather hear rumors from the guy at Orange Julius.

Bennett moving on would be great for the organization. If there's value to be had, get it.

[killer_carlson]

Before I move Bennett I give him one full season with the same, fast, skilled linemates and ensure Brouwer is no where near any of Bennett's shifts.

Then I evaluate what he is.

[ComixZone]

Originally Posted by Deegee

Dreger is such a terrible insider. I'd rather hear rumors from the guy at Orange Julius.

Bennett moving on would be great for the organization. If there's value to be had, get it.

Yeah, impatience is a fantastic trait for an organization.

Super duper.

[oldschoolcalgary]

if Calgary could have jumped into the top 20, i think i might have pulled the trigger, esp for a kid like Dobson or Wahlstrom...Bokk, Foudy, Thomas in the early 20s...

but by this point in the draft its such a crapshoot and players might not be any better than Bennett is...

better to keep him to see if Peters can rebuild him

[tkflames]

Originally Posted by oldschoolcalgary

if Calgary could have jumped into the top 20, i think i might have pulled the trigger, esp for a kid like Dobson or Wahlstrom...Bokk, Foudy, Thomas in the early 20s...

but by this point in the draft its such a crapshoot and players might not be any better than Bennett is...

better to keep him to see if Peters can rebuild him

Man I am glad I don't have to be the one assessing how Bennett's 91 points in 57 games compares to Wahlstroms 45 points in 26 games in the USHL and how that projects toward NHL potential, but it is really dangerous to overvalue the shiny new toys. I don't think we really know what Bennett is yet and we certainly don't know that Wahlstrom will even be an NHLer in the next couple of years let alone at all.