[News] Bouma potential injury. Update: upper body. day to day

[DoubleF]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

He's a starving, caged tiger who very well could cost the flames a game with an irresponsible play. Hartley will have to trust him before he gets game action in a game this important. Especially considering that, outside of a goalie, in Hartley's system there is no one more important defensively than the center

I could maybe see it happen with Hartley telling the boys to play like it's a power play and let Bennett be a rover. But Bennett would have to be a winger.

But I would prefer someone who can play the system. Bollig or Shore.

[heep223]

I wonder if they look to putting him on Stajan's wing, as poster above suggests. Stajan and Jones can show him the ropes and as a winger he has far less defensive responsibility. Or I should say, he has the same degree of defensive responsibility but it's a far easier defensive assignment.

[automaton 3]

After reading about Conroy's comments, I doubt we see him until he has the systems down pat or maybe against the Jets if the Flames clinch tomorrow.

I think his skating and energy would be a huge plus, but one missed assignment could be the difference here.

[undercoverbrother]

Is there a Bouma update?

[Huntsy]

You will not here more than the standard Day-to-Day. Until he is on the ice..

[Huntingwhale]

Originally Posted by automaton 3

After reading about Conroy's comments, I doubt we see him until he has the systems down pat or maybe against the Jets if the Flames clinch tomorrow.

I think his skating and energy would be a huge plus, but one missed assignment could be the difference here.

I'm thinking the same thing. Being the devil's advocate here. I'm sure Bennett is chomping to get out and show everyone he can contribute. But a game against the defending champs with your season on the line is just too great a risk to have an 18 year old slot in and expect him to not make any glaring mistakes that might cost the season. Not worth it IMO. If we happen to beat LA and are guaranteed a spot when we play the Jets, then I'm all for him playing. But Conroy said he's not used to the systems yet and someone like Shore is.

For the LA game, I'd slot in Shore before Bennett .

[CroFlames]

Only the staff knows what Bennett actually brings to the table. Personally, I wouldn't trust him to be responsible out there. However, we might have another Monahan on our hands who is defensively responsible so who knows.

[868904]

Originally Posted by automaton 3

After reading about Conroy's comments, I doubt we see him until he has the systems down pat or maybe against the Jets if the Flames clinch tomorrow.

I think his skating and energy would be a huge plus, but one missed assignment could be the difference here.

This team is prone to missed assignments. Seriously, it's amazing this team is one win away from a playoff berth because the number of stupid turnovers and missed assignments is astounding for a playoff team. This team will get murdered in the playoffs.

Sam Bennett will not make any more turnovers than Denis Wideman, TJ Brodie, Kris Russell, Johnny Gaudreau, Lance Bouma, etc, etc, etc, will make.

What Sam Bennett does have in abundance is compete and skill, which are the two things that have carried this team to this point.

I wouldn't be upset if Shore drew in for Bouma over Bennett, but I don't think Bennett would hurt the team anymore than anyone else.

The other thing with Bennett, is that he wants the pick and if he loses it, he goes all out to get it back, he will hound you till you give it up to him again. So yes, he will turn it over, but he's more likely to get back than anyone else.

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by Huntingwhale

I'm thinking the same thing. Being the devil's advocate here. I'm sure Bennett is chomping to get out and show everyone he can contribute. But a game against the defending champs with your season on the line is just too great a risk to have an 18 year old slot in and expect him to not make any glaring mistakes that might cost the season. Not worth it IMO.

Yes, the risk is enourmous.
Yet the potential reward could be even greater. Remember how the Kings ignored the scouting report on Johnny when we played them thinking "rookie", and so Gaudreau went on to drop a natural hat trick in his first game against them?

Sam Bennett is the kind of player that could have that kind of night against them.

Huge gamble, but the payoff isn't exactly " hopefully he survives his eight minutes without being a minus on the ice".

[Enoch Root]

The talk of Bennett being a liability is pretty ridiculous IMO.

1) his hockey IQ is extremely high

2) his energy level will make u for a lot

3) Hartley would shelter him

4) he almost certainly gets slotted onto the wing where the defensive assignments can be handled by anyone this side of Baertschi

[automaton 3]

Bennett is an amazing talent and I can't wait to see him play.

But when he tells Conroy that he'd skate out to challenge the Dman on a lost draw and let his assignment go, and utilize a "swarm" defence it seems that he has some work to do.

I was a bit surprised to read that as I thought through his weeks of practice he would have learned the Flames systems - but maybe he picked up some bad habits back in junior.

I have no doubt that Hartley will make the right call here though. If he's ready, and the best option to help the team win he'll be in the lineup.

[sureLoss]

Will have to see if Byron may be ready.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

The talk of Bennett being a liability is pretty ridiculous IMO.

1) his hockey IQ is extremely high

2) his energy level will make u for a lot

3) Hartley would shelter him

4) he almost certainly gets slotted onto the wing where the defensive assignments can be handled by anyone this side of Baertschi

Ridiculous to believe an experiment with an 18 year old (no matter how talented) might be dangerous at this important of a time? Your statement is ridiculous. Clearly Conroy felt that way, is he ridiculous?

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

Ridiculous to believe an experiment with an 18 year old (no matter how talented) might be dangerous at this important of a time? Your statement is ridiculous. Clearly Conroy felt that way, is he ridiculous?

I would think he is getting plenty of film time

I would also think that it's pretty easy to understand of implications of putting him on the wing and giving him sheltered minutes

Some of you are talking like playing a rookie is the stupidest thing that has ever been considered. It happens all the time. Worked out okay for Iginla.

[polak]

It's not like the alternatives to Bennett are risk free.

They're actually pretty bad players....

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

I would think he is getting plenty of film time

I would also think that it's pretty easy to understand of implications of putting him on the wing and giving him sheltered minutes

Some of you are talking like playing a rookie is the stupidest thing that has ever been considered. It happens all the time. Worked out okay for Iginla.

Totally agree with everything you said here, except the last part. If saying "it's the stupidest thing ever" is hyperbole, saying he may be a liability is ridiculous is equally so.

I think he'll get in and be OK if sheltered, and provide some energy. It's not without fear of liability though

[Vedder]

Byron is definitely the best option if he's healthy.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

Totally agree with everything you said here, except the last part. If saying "it's the stupidest thing ever" is hyperbole, saying he may be a liability is ridiculous is equally so.

I think he'll get in and be OK if sheltered, and provide some energy. It's not without fear of liability though

Sure, agreed. The question is the severity of the potential liability.

There are a lot of people talking like putting him in is like throwing dice on the season. I am suggesting that putting him in on the wing with sheltered minutes is no bigger liability than any of the other lineup decisions, like Ferland, Granlund, Potter, etc.

He is a smart player and he is dying to contribute.

[JiriHrdina]

There's something to be said with going with the horses that got you this far too.

[Cheerio]

Originally Posted by polak

It's not like the alternatives to Bennett are risk free.

They're actually pretty bad players....

I don't know how you can look at Drew Shore and tell me that he is a pretty bad player.