Sam Bennett/Kingston Frontenacs discussion

[Calgary4LIfe]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

Sounds reasonable to me.

Sounds a bit like fans making up excuses to me, but I can't say it doesn't at least seem plausible. 59 points in 44 games isn't bad or anything, but definitely lower than what you would expect even with instructions to concentrate in other areas of his game - especially considering how good he is already defensively.

Just thought I would ask Cube since he probably has way more insight than me, especially since I haven't followed him much past the 9 game mark of the start of the season. Still think he is a heck of a prospect though - just wondering if there was any truth to that, or if it was a fan-generated excuse.

[corporatejay]

Originally Posted by Fire

Then he shouldn't run a league where they schedule 3 games in 3 nights.

Was just thinking the same thing, that's total bush.

[MyFlamesFirst]

Originally Posted by robertsfanatic

was at the game and went because I wanted to see Bennett in person, was very disappointed by the scratch but understand it...
Smith with a goal and an ejection for a hit to the head, it wasn't much of a game but lots of goals to keep fans entertained.

Did Bennett not play tonight?

Edit: Nevermind read the earlier posts and saw that he didn't play. That's too bad I was hoping he could build on his 4 point performance that he had last night.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

Sounds a bit like fans making up excuses to me, but I can't say it doesn't at least seem plausible. 59 points in 44 games isn't bad or anything, but definitely lower than what you would expect even with instructions to concentrate in other areas of his game - especially considering how good he is already defensively.

Just thought I would ask Cube since he probably has way more insight than me, especially since I haven't followed him much past the 9 game mark of the start of the season. Still think he is a heck of a prospect though - just wondering if there was any truth to that, or if it was a fan-generated excuse.

His penalty minutes are up a bit. Maybe he's been asked to play more physically and put on some muscle? I haven't followed him so purely a stab in the dark but other players have been asked to do the same.

oh here

"He's not going to learn a whole lot there on the ice, I don't think," Murray said. "I told him I know he can go back there [Kootenay] and be a 120-point guy in a full season playing three-quarter speed, but that's not what we want him to go back there and do. We want him to get stronger and he's going to have to find a way to … find a way to slip out on his own to get to the gym and get stronger."

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=737030

[Sylvanfan]

Many junior guys who were close to being NHL ready underwhelmed as 3rd or 4th year junior players, compared to previous seasons.

Ryan Getzlaf pretty much sleepwalked thru his 19 year old dub season. Scott Niedermeyer barely broke a sweat as an 18 year old until the playoffs when Jersey sent him back to Kamloops.

This stuff happens. I expect Reinhart will turn it on when he has to. He was outstanding at the WJC.

[CedarMeter]

I remember seeing a Hitmen game way back in the day in Lethbridge, it was late in the season and Brendel, Moran and Beech didn't play. Guess they just want to avoid injuries.

[Incogneto]

Originally Posted by Locke

Okay, I'll admit that thats a bit farfetched for someone who hasnt even pulled the sweater on yet, but at the same time the numbers this kid is posting in Kingston are worthy of getting excited about so I'll cut him some slack.

I just think this kid is going to be the face of the franchise for the next decade. We have up-and-coming superstars like Gaudreau and Monahan, but Bennett loves the spotlight, and gives a great interview. As much as I love our current roster, Bennett is the future.

So pumped to see him in the Flaming C next year.

[Fighting Banana Slug]

Love the fact that Bennett fell to us, but no need to belittle Reinhart and Draisaitl's potential. They may all be very good pros. (Leon being a longer shot, only because he landed on the oilers). If things worked out differently, I am sure as Flames fans we would be thrilled to have either.

[Har-Calgary]

Hey just to clarify Playoff games don't count towards ELC right? So if that's the case what are the chances Flames bring him up with 8 games remaining and then we potentially have him going full throttle into the playoffs, assuming we make it of course. I onow the chemistry is good right now but with the way he's playing, why not risk it!

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by Har-Calgary

Hey just to clarify Playoff games don't count towards ELC right? So if that's the case what are the chances Flames bring him up with 8 games remaining and then we potentially have him going full throttle into the playoffs, assuming we make it of course. I onow the chemistry is good right now but with the way he's playing, why not risk it!

Playoff games count towards the 10 game limit.

That being said if you honestly believe that Bennett is going to be a difference maker in the NHL playoffs to the point where his addition will help you win a round or two, then burning a year of the ELC should not be a concern.

Then again if the Flames believed he could do that, he would be still in Calgary right now.

Anyways moot because the Flames can't call him up until his junior season is over or there is enough injuries to warrant an emergency call up (which is unlikely).

[EldrickOnIce]

Once a player is assigned to a Junior team, they can only be recalled on an emergency basis (like player who must not be named was) or when the season, including playoffs, is over for that Junior team.

[automaton 3]

I suspect Reinhart is more or less playing out the string, given the Sabres lineup he knows he's probably in the show next year.

Bennett was sent down and was challenged by the Flames to lead his team and earn a call-up.

Huge difference in motivation.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Fighting Banana Slug

Love the fact that Bennett fell to us, but no need to belittle Reinhart and Draisaitl's potential. They may all be very good pros. (Leon being a longer shot, only because he landed on the oilers). If things worked out differently, I am sure as Flames fans we would be thrilled to have either.

No one has come close to belittling either of them.

If you are referring to me, I posted stats that show Reinhart's progression has been slower than Bennett's over the last two years, whether you include this season or not.

It is a simple fact. As a 15 and a 16 year old, Reinhart was THE guy for his age group of prospects. Bennett came out of 'nowhere' and has now - in my opinion - passed him.

Reinhart has pedigree but Bennett has been progressing more. I'll take that every time.

[PeteMoss]

Originally Posted by automaton 3

I suspect Reinhart is more or less playing out the string, given the Sabres lineup he knows he's probably in the show next year.

Bennett was sent down and was challenged by the Flames to lead his team and earn a call-up.

Huge difference in motivation.

Reinhart was given every chance to make the Sabres this year and looked no good so he went back to the WHL.

That said... I doubt he's going full-tilt right now. The playoffs will be interesting for him.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by automaton 3

I suspect Reinhart is more or less playing out the string, given the Sabres lineup he knows he's probably in the show next year.

Bennett was sent down and was challenged by the Flames to lead his team and earn a call-up.

Huge difference in motivation.

Motivation speaks to leadership

[GioforPM]

It's probably good for Reinhart that he wasn't around the Sabres in this year of the tank, unlike the Oilers' picks over the years.

McDavid and Reinhart is a pretty good ignition switch in that rebuild.

[albertGQ]

It might be financially better if we burned a year from his ELC anyway. Would be great if he ends up playing more than 10 games for us this year.

That means a decent playoff run

This way he will have just over 2 years for his body of work when he has to sign his bridge deal instead of 3. Might be able to get hm locked up for 8 years at a decent amount

[Fighting Banana Slug]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

No one has come close to belittling either of them.

If you are referring to me, I posted stats that show Reinhart's progression has been slower than Bennett's over the last two years, whether you include this season or not.

It is a simple fact. As a 15 and a 16 year old, Reinhart was THE guy for his age group of prospects. Bennett came out of 'nowhere' and has now - in my opinion - passed him.

Reinhart has pedigree but Bennett has been progressing more. I'll take that every time.

Not referring to any particular poster, but there are plenty of posts over the past 30 pages or so, that thought the oilers were idiots to pick Draisaitl over Bennett, in particular. They are undoubtedly idiots, but not for that reason, as Draisatl might be a very good pro. It is way to early to tell.
The more recent discussion seems to be questioning Reinhart's potential. If you think Bennett will be better, fine, but I personally don't see any "progression" that would have me concerned, if I were a Sabre fan. If you prefer Bennett, again fine, but I can almost guarantee if the players were reversed and the Sabres took Bennett, Flames fans would be extolling Reinhart's virtues (great WJC) and chirping that Bennett is an injury concern or some other non-sense.

[Street Pharmacist]

Fans of other teams are idiots because they don't cheer for the flames...

[EldrickOnIce]

Were I a betting man, I'd make a small wager that Kingston's season will last longer than the Flames.