[News] Bennett Out 4-6 Months with Shoulder Surgery *UPDATE* Back Skating

[Street Pharmacist]

Why do you have to give him a chance? Other prospects don't get that chance. Sure he's way more highly skilled, but he's 18, hasn't played real hockey since may, and it's the thick of a playoff race. I don't understand the rush. I'm very excited to see him, but outside if an emotional plea, I can't understand what the urgency is

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

Why do you have to give him a chance? Other prospects don't get that chance.

Other prospects were cut in training camp, he wasn't. He feels he earned his spot and made the roster before his surgery. Now you just up-and-decide "nope, since you had surgery, we're taking away your earned opportunity".

That's B.S. and has nothing to do with fans making an emotional plea. It'd be like waiving Ramo during his injury to make space for Ortio.

If you're going to cut a player, you cut them based on their evaluated performance. It's fine if Bennett gets cut for that reason. But he needs an opportunity to get cut. Sam Reinhart played his 9 games, was ineffective, they sent him down.

And I don't subscribe to "midseason form" being that much different from early in the season. They're not the same, but you can't hold that against Bennett.

If Bennett isn't ready, then he's not ready. But if you arbitrarily decide he's not ready without knowing that, then that's poor management. Especially if the excuse is that he's "probably" not physically ready, if he was physically able to make the roster four months ago.

For the record, I don't think I want Sam on this year's team past the 9-game tryout unless he absolutely beasts. I'd rather his contract kicks in next year. But I want him handled with class.

[Fighting Banana Slug]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

Other prospects were cut in training camp, he wasn't. He feels he earned his spot and made the roster before his surgery. Now you just up-and-decide "nope, since you had surgery, we're taking away your earned opportunity".

That's B.S. and has nothing to do with fans making an emotional plea. It'd be like waiving Ramo during his injury to make space for Ortio.

If you're going to cut a player, you cut them based on their evaluated performance. It's fine if Bennett gets cut for that reason. But he needs an opportunity to get cut. Sam Reinhart played his 9 games, was ineffective, they sent him down.

And I don't subscribe to "midseason form" being that much different from early in the season. They're not the same, but you can't hold that against Bennett.

I think you can be justified in cutting him. His performance over the last 4 months is not playing hockey. It was a tough break, but I don't see it as an "earned" issue. He is a kid that needn't be rushed into essentially playoff hockey after 4 months of not playing.

[wingmaker]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

hasn't played real hockey since may

That's even more hyperbolic than the six months thing. He played in a rookie tournament this summer where players are trying to stand out to make their teams, plus pre-season games in the NHL. I understand what you mean, that these are not regular season games and that somehow that means that players aren't trying as hard. But that's bogus. An NHL pre-season game is AT LEAST as legitimate as a junior regular season game. Give me a break.

I don't have a strong opinion on where Bennett should play. I happen to believe that Hartley, Treliving and crew will do the right thing for both the player and the team. They have shown many times over that they have made room for players when they deserved it and sent them down when it was the right choice. I don't know why they wouldn't do the same with Sam Bennett.

But at least, if you're making an opinion one way or another, there is no need to make silly claims to do it. Bennett played hockey all summer and has been under the eye of Flames trainers ever since he was drafted. I have to think they understand the risks of his injury and know where his recovery is a hell of a lot better than anyone on this board.

[Fire of the Phoenix]

Ideally he'd get a conditioning stint in the AHL followed by an audition at the NHL level assuming he does well in the AHL. He's earned at least that following his dominate training camp, don't want to send him the wrong message. He'd be an upgrade over several of our forwards, from a hockey perspective it would likely make the team stronger for a playoff push. If he's not ready for the big time (I think he is) then you send him down to Kingston for the remainder of the season. Really don't see how it would impact him negatively unless the team full on Draisaitl's him, which I'm sure they wouldn't.

[Mony]

I'm torn between sending him for an AHL conditioning stint right away or Kingston. I know he earned his roster spot before the regular season and surgery started, but I don't want him up here yet. I want him getting lots of minutes.

[Toonage]

He's an elite talent that appeared headed onto the main roster for the start of the season before the severity of his injury was discovered. He's been kept with the team pretty much all year in some capacity and has been skating with them under their direct supervision during his recovery. While I fall into the camp that suggests he should go back to junior, I think the writing is on the wall. He's going to play for the Flames this year.

[Robbob]

Looking at some of the key dates if he is cleared to play on the 15th of February.

Kingston plays 18 games from February 15th to the end of the season which is the 22nd of March. A two week stint in the AHL would still leave him with 10 games in the OHL if he goes down after a conditioning stint. Seeing how Kingston is sitting in 7th right now it is highly plausible that his junior season will be over the first week of April. The Flames season ends on April 11th and Adirondack ends on the 19th.

One way or another he will be playing pro for sure unless some how Kingston goes on a run. The decision where can be decided on his body of work when he becomes available.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Robbob

Looking at some of the key dates if he is cleared to play on the 15th of February.

Kingston plays 18 games from February 15th to the end of the season which is the 22nd of March. A two week stint in the AHL would still leave him with 10 games in the OHL if he goes down after a conditioning stint. Seeing how Kingston is sitting in 7th right now it is highly plausible that his junior season will be over the first week of April. The Flames season ends on April 11th and Adirondack ends on the 19th.

One way or another he will be playing pro for sure unless some how Kingston goes on a run. The decision where can be decided on his body of work when he becomes available.

Does it really?

[Robbob]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Does it really?

regular season. Probably should have added that.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by wingmaker

That's even more hyperbolic than the six months thing. He played in a rookie tournament this summer where players are trying to stand out to make their teams, plus pre-season games in the NHL. I understand what you mean, that these are not regular season games and that somehow that means that players aren't trying as hard. But that's bogus. An NHL pre-season game is AT LEAST as legitimate as a junior regular season game. Give me a break.

I'm simply comparing the speed/tempo of the games and I'm not sure I agree with you, but that's beside the point. He's 18, and hasn't played hockey in 4 months and it's crunch time. Hockey in October =/= playoff push in March when games for the team he'll be playing for are too important for experiments. I don't think injury is relevant and I'm not concerned about injury.

I don't have a strong opinion on where Bennett should play. I happen to believe that Hartley, Treliving and crew will do the right thing for both the player and the team. They have shown many times over that they have made room for players when they deserved it and sent them down when it was the right choice. I don't know why they wouldn't do the same with Sam Bennett.

I don't have a strong opinion either. I think they'll do the right thing too. Not sure why you think I wouldn't. The "right" thing to do is subjective and that's what we're discussing.

But at least, if you're making an opinion one way or another, there is no need to make silly claims to do it. Bennett played hockey all summer and has been under the eye of Flames trainers ever since he was drafted. I have to think they understand the risks of his injury and know where his recovery is a hell of a lot better than anyone on this board.

What the hell are you talking about????? I didn't even really state an opinion. First off, I am not concerned about injury and never said I was, but way to fight the good fight. Six months or four months, he hasn't played any hockey in a long time and he's still only 18. Calgary is in a playoff hunt and I'm not sure if that's the best place for him to get back to playing speed. Full stop.

[GioforPM]

I know they said he made the team out of camp, but I don't understand the statement. Who on the opening day roster didn't make the team? Anyway, I think the extended time out of real action negates making the team then. He has to make the team over again, unfortunately for him (and his expectations are not especially relevant). Then, if he is equal in present ability to someone else on the roster, they make a decision - is playing NHL playoff hunt games beneficial or too risky at this point in development? Is the role he will play worth it?

What I do like to think of is that he either made the team or was close with a relatively useless shoulder that required big time surgery. Hopefully it isn't a permanently weak spot, but optimistically he is even better than in camp.

[dammage79]

I think Bennett is better than Jooris and Byron. But that's my take.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by dammage79

I think Bennett is better than Jooris and Byron. But that's my take.

He maybe was better. Is he (a) better now (especially with Jooris' NHL experience now) and (b) better as a 3rd or 4th liner than those guys? Byron also does a lot of PK - who steps in (not Bennett?).

[getbak]

One thing to keep in mind regarding sending him to the AHL is that any player who is on a conditioning loan must be activated onto the NHL roster first, and is counted towards the NHL roster limit while on the loan.

The 23 man limit is lifted after the trade deadline (March 2), but if he's activated in February, the Flames would still need to open a roster spot for him. Depending on what happens with trades and injuries between now and then, they might need to send someone else down in order to send Bennett down.

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

He maybe was better. Is he (a) better now (especially with Jooris' NHL experience now) and (b) better as a 3rd or 4th liner than those guys? Byron also does a lot of PK - who steps in (not Bennett?).

a) even with the NHL experience under Jooris' belt Bennett skillset makes him better. Once he gets up to speed in practice I think folks will see that.

b) plenty of PK forwards that can replace Byron. Stajan, Backlund, Colborne, Jooris, Glencross, Monahan, Bouma etc. etc.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by dammage79

a) even with the NHL experience under Jooris' belt Bennett skillset makes him better. Once he gets up to speed in practice I think folks will see that.

b) plenty of PK forwards that can replace Byron. Stajan, Backlund, Colborne, Jooris, Glencross, Monahan, Bouma etc. etc.

I don't think you can say he's better based on camp. You can only say it when we see him. But my point is - does his skill set replace what Jooris or Stajan bring on their lines? Or is he a guy wasted on a 3rd or 4th line? And can he get familiar enough with NHL defence quick enough (I know he's been watching)?

On your PK list, only about half presently play PK regularly IIRC.

All I'm saying is that they better be 100% sure he will make the team better, and not just play him to have a look see at what he might be, because that can happen in due course. And I think it's a huge "maybe" as to whether playing Bennett = more wins.

[Enoch Root]

I think it's safe to say he would be an immediate upgrade on Raymond on the LW

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

I think it's safe to say he would be an immediate upgrade on Raymond on the LW

A triple-center PP 2nd unit of Bennett-Backlund-Jooris would be amazing. Speed, Skill, Compete, IQ. Colborne too, but I really like Jooris' clutchness personally.

[Fire of the Phoenix]

Originally Posted by dammage79

I think Bennett is better than Jooris and Byron. But that's my take.

Yep. He's also better than Stajan and Raymond IMO.