If Kingston is out, should the Flames bring in Bennett

[442scotty]

I would be surprised if he ever plays a game in the AHL. Mony didn't, Johnny didn't either . 18 or not Im pretty sure they can ease him in this year...

[Camronius]

no question AHL first, if he earns it bringing him up to the NHL. These games are too important to have an inexperienced rookie thrown into the lineup.

To a lesser extent I don't think it sends the right message to the other AHL'ers, -Poirier primarily- if we inject him in the NHL lineup immediately.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by polak

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

If the Flames shared this view, would he not be here already though? Don't get me wrong, I know he was coming off an injury so maybe that's why they didn't, but I'd assume that if the Flames actually thought he was better than 80% of our line up! they'd have kept him up. That would have had to be what was best for his development if that were the case.

I'm excited for the optimism around him, and if I'm being honest (caveat being I don't think I'm anywhere close to an expert on prospects) Bennett is the big name prospect I felt had the best shot to make it year one compared to my thoughts on Monahan and Gaudreau going into year one, but I'm also worried about over expectations on this kid, just because how well Monahan and Gaudreau transitioned, and how quickly.

I think that puts immense pressure on Bennett to at least match their early success and be third musketeers or the trifecta in what is quickly becoming the expectation of a hyper driver rebuild. Just nervous about expectations and pressure on the kid who hasn't even played a pro game yet.

[Tron_fdc]

Originally Posted by Gaudreau

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

Fill the net, gain some confidence, while rubbing Edmontons nose in our draftee and get two points closer to a playoff spot.

I'm all over it.

ENG

[polak]

Originally Posted by Camronius

To a lesser extent I don't think it sends the right message to the other AHL'ers, -Poirier primarily- if we inject him in the NHL lineup immediately.

They can deal with it.

He's a highly touted first overall pick that absolutely destroyed in the OHL when he returned and was never actually cut from camp.

If any player is mad that he got called up before them than they need to give their head a shake,

[burnitdown]

Originally Posted by Cleveland Steam Whistle

I think that puts immense pressure on Bennett to at least match their early success and be third musketeers or the trifecta in what is quickly becoming the expectation of a hyper driver rebuild. Just nervous about expectations and pressure on the kid who hasn't even played a pro game yet.

I agree - the expectations are sky high and to think he can come in and be better than 80% of the team is unrealistic. Not entirely impossible, but unrealistic. One tweet I saw put things in perspective - Draisaitl had an 11 game stretch with 23 points (similar to Bennett's 24 points in 11 games)...and he didn't bring anything to the table for the Oilers when he was in the NHL. Different scenario cause the Oilers are way worse...but still a good reminder that it's hard for any 18 year old to come in and be a major contributor. I'd call him up and let him sit and absorb the atmosphere...but barring injury, I wouldn't put him in and expect much (this year).

[polak]

No one is saying you ride him as your #1 center from now on.

But you sure as hell give him a shot. He COULD realistically be the legitimate second line scoring threat we're in desperate need of right now.

[SportsJunky]

We need a "I don't know!" option. I want to have him up here but I don't want to break another new toy by rushing him. Personally, I think the kid would get a lot out of being up here around the guys again.

[SuperMatt18]

Do we actually use a recall to get Bennett up or do we just assign him to our NHL roster.

Seems weird that a recall would be needed since we are just assigning him somewhere once his season finishes.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by polak

No one is saying you ride him as your #1 center from now on.

But you sure as hell give him a shot. He COULD realistically be the legitimate second line scoring threat we're in desperate need of right now.

Or actually DO things, rather than just being a null spot in the lineup like Raymond or Bollig.

I think taking Raymond out and inserting Bennett with the third group makes this team better.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

Do we actually use a recall to get Bennett up or do we just assign him to our NHL roster.

Seems weird that a recall would be needed since we are just assigning him somewhere once his season finishes.

It should not use one of the four recalls if he goes straight from Kingston to Calgary.

This is from the CBA, Article 13.12(l):

During the period following 3:00 p.m. New York time of the fortieth (40th) day immediately preceding the final day of the Regular Season, and continuing through and including the last day of the Regular Season, no Player may be Recalled from Loan to a club of any league affiliated with the NHL, except that:

(i) A Club may exercise four (4) regular Recalls from a club or clubs of any league affiliated with the NHL, of Player(s) listed on its own Reserve List.
(ii) Players may be Recalled under Article 13.12(m). (Emergency recall)
(iii) Players may be Recalled upon completion of the regular season and playoff schedule of the club to which they were Loaned.

The regular season and playoff schedule of the team he was loaned to (Kingston) would be complete, so he should be free to be recalled without restriction or burning one of the four AHL recalls.

If they send him to Adirondack from Kingston, they would have to wait until Adirondack's season was finished before they could recall him, or they would burn their fourth recall.

[H2SO4(aq)]

I think he has made it very clear to the coaching staff that the injury didnt slow him down. He is by all accounts stronger than he was in preseason and had he not been injured he probably would have started in the show.

Bring him up, and let the caged tiger loose.

[ForeverFlameFan]

If he did get called up here after Kingston elimination, I think we wouldn't play him until we knew for sure that we were in the playoffs. So if we have clinched a spot prior to the Winnipeg game, that would be a good game to start him.

[Azhouse]

Originally Posted by Camronius

no question AHL first, if he earns it bringing him up to the NHL. These games are too important to have an inexperienced rookie thrown into the lineup.

To a lesser extent I don't think it sends the right message to the other AHL'ers, -Poirier primarily- if we inject him in the NHL lineup immediately.

The message to Poirier will be "welcome to the NHL Emile (where only the very best make it)"

Sam could be ready, Poirier is not.

[Buster]

Originally Posted by MattyC

Or actually DO things, rather than just being a null spot in the lineup like Raymond or Bollig.

I think taking Raymond out and inserting Bennett with the third group makes this team better.

I'm pretty sure Bennett's hands don't look like frying pans, like Raymond's do. So yes.

[jar_e]

Do people forget he would have made this team post-camp if it wasn't for his shoulder surgery?

The coaches and management had some faith in him then and I would have no reason to believe that they've lost their faith after his rehab and stint in the OHL. His shoulder is obviously now fine and I'd have no doubt that Hartley would give him sheltered minutes as he did with other young players.

[Oling_Roachinen]

Originally Posted by Camronius

To a lesser extent I don't think it sends the right message to the other AHL'ers, -Poirier primarily- if we inject him in the NHL lineup immediately.

But Bennett wasn't eligible for the AHL. It's not like it's a necessary first step for everyone (see Gaudreau and Monahan). If they deemed Bennett ready from watching his junior games, who's to say he hasn't earned it?

[Gaudfather]

The other advantage of bringing in Bennett, just before the Flames playoff run (hopefully) is that it will take some focus and media pressure off Johnny and may result in Johnny being even more productive.

[GranteedEV]

There's a case to be made for either:

- The forward logjam right now is not great in the NHL, more minutes in the AHL. There's a strong chance Hartley doesn't even play Sam (see: Poirier, Baertschi, Wolf)

- Sam can be an impact player right now in the NHL, especially if we put him on Backlund or Stajan's wing. Could be exactly what our 2nd PP unit needs

- The AHL Flames could really use an offensive spark to even make the playoffs. They've got a lot of good wingers but right now Bill Arnold is the only NHL-calibur natural center on the team.

- The AHL Flames might not make the playoffs anyways. They're a good few points out of a spot and haven't been playing amazing - they've been the definition of inconsistent. Losing Baertschi, Granlund, Ferland, Shore, and Ortio has really depleted them. Sending Sam there might just be for a game or two before they're officially eliminated.

Originally Posted by Camronius

no question AHL first, if he earns it bringing him up to the NHL. These games are too important to have an inexperienced rookie thrown into the lineup.

To a lesser extent I don't think it sends the right message to the other AHL'ers, -Poirier primarily- if we inject him in the NHL lineup immediately.

Poirier knew he was a reach at #22 overall. Many would argue Sam was a steal at #4 overall. It's not apples-to-apples.

[PugnaciousIntern]

The argument of "sending the right message to other prospects" is flawed. The message you should send is that you want to win. Best players play.