[Rumour] Friedman: Ducks really like Sam Bennett

[Beninho]

Bennett looked just fine the last 15-20 games of the season and looked great in the playoffs. That reason alone makes this trade talk laughable, especially given the trade partner.

[Backlunds_socks]

Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan

Anaheim can covet Bennett all they want.

I covet Matt Murray, Connor McDavid, and Aaron Ekblad. That doesn't mean that my team is ever going to come close to acquiring those players.

Only difference is bennet Is not elite, or good, like those players.

[CaptainCrunch]

The only way I would trade Bennett to a divisional rival is if said rival willingly bends over and then pays for dinner after.

Tell the ducks to go and trade for the number one overall pick from New Jersey no matter what the cost and then send that pick to Calgary

[edslunch]

I don't like that Bennett's name came up twice this week, even if one was a basement blogger

[Lanny_McDonald]

You don't give up on a kid who is just legal to drink in the States, especially one who just finished his second season and first at center. People have really weird expectations as to what these kids are going to do. Bennett was twice the player Draisaitl was in their rookie seasons. Draisaitl rode shotgun to the best offensive player in the game and now he's a superstar slated to make $8M a year, and Bennett is crap and a player to be traded. Patience. Sam needs some talent to play with and he'll be fine. You know, like we said about Backlund all those years.

[Beninho]

Originally Posted by Backlunds_socks

Only difference is bennet Is not elite, or good, like those players.

Kind of ironic given your name that you are claiming Bennett isn't "good", while it took Backlund 4 pro seasons to match Bennetts rookie season. Backlund is the perfect example of why this team needs to be patient with Bennett.

[Roof-Daddy]

In some ways Bennett had a better rookie season than Monahan did. At the very least they were comparable.

But then in his sophomore season he didn't get 19+ minutes per night with ROY candidate Johnny Gaudreau and Jiri "career year" Hudler on his wings.

He also had to learn center at the NHL level in his 2nd year because IIRC he spent a lot of time on the wing in his rookie season.

This is why I cringe somewhat when I hear crap like "Sam Bennett has requested a trade out of Calgary" even if it's from some hack basement blogger. Sam watches as Monahan gets opportunities like that just a little ahead of him and then steps right into a 7 year $45 million second contract, while Sam is now likely going to have to take a piddly bridge deal, and then STILL have to play the role of 3rd line center behind Monahan and Backlund with the lesser wingers very likely flanking him.

I mean you want the guy to be a team player, but in reality the Flames are benefiting much more with him as a 3rd line C than he ever will. Doesn't do much for his career earning potential.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

In some ways Bennett had a better rookie season than Monahan did. At the very least they were comparable.

But then in his sophomore season he didn't get 19+ minutes per night with ROY candidate Johnny Gaudreau and Jiri "career year" Hudler on his wings.

He also had to learn center at the NHL level in his 2nd year because IIRC he spent a lot of time on the wing in his rookie season.

This is why I cringe somewhat when I hear crap like "Sam Bennett has requested a trade out of Calgary" even if it's from some hack basement blogger. Sam watches as Monahan gets opportunities like that just a little ahead of him and then steps right into a 7 year $45 million second contract, while Sam is now likely going to have to take a piddly bridge deal, and then STILL have to play the role of 3rd line center behind Monahan and Backlund with the lesser wingers very likely flanking him.

I mean you want the guy to be a team player, but in reality the Flames are benefiting much more with him as a 3rd line C than he ever will. Doesn't do much for his career earning potential.

I figure it was that shoulder injury in a critical development year that has him where he his now. Without losing that I bet he'd be way further ahead right now.

[Erick Estrada]

I'm surprised that fact the Ducks like Bennett has somehow managed to turn into s trade speculation thread. Really nothing to see here as Treliving selected Bennett with his first ever pick as GM and probably likes Bennett even more than the Ducks do.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

As I said earlier, I've got no problem with Friedman going off the cuff, but to expect that he should be immune to all criticism for the dots he connects or the statements he makes is a little off to me.

It's him providing information in a venue that pays him as a hockey insider. Again, I'm fine with him saying stuff like "where there's smoke there's fire" or suggesting that a team is interested in a player but might not trade for them (without suggesting that player is even available in the first place) but stuff like that is going to lead to some criticism because a lot of fans feel he should be above that.

I enjoy reading it all either way, but getting mad when someone criticisizes one of Friedman's "30 thoughts" is nonsense to me. He's a sport reporter, not God. I think people should feel free to be critical if that's what they want.

If anything the protectionism of Friedman while raking other guys over the coals is weird. I can't say I've seen one post protecting a guy like Dreger and calling his critics idiots.

EDIT: Millions is a good example, and I respect Freqitude's opinion more. Millions gets trashed around here, and Francis? Basically the second coming of Judas. But that seems fine while Friedman needs the kid gloves. Just weird.

Agreed, but I have to say that I'm also quite critical of God. He/She/It has some 'splaining to do and I have some legitimate beefs with decisions made.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by EldrickOnIce

Not particularly good examples. To date, Bennett is simply potential - with little in terms of tangible results from that potential. Were they talking Monahan, you examples work fine.
Hopefully Bennett takes a nice step forward this year, on his way to a Scheifele type progression over the next few. I think this is possible. Failing to do much this year, and I think it's time to start lowering the bar some.

Originally Posted by Backlunds_socks

Only difference is bennet Is not elite, or good, like those players.

yeah, ok, I'm not saying that. I was using hyperbole for effect. I wasn't saying those are Bennett's comparables. Just using examples of highly coveted players that other GMs would be "interested in".

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

I'm surprised that fact the Ducks like Bennett has somehow managed to turn into s trade speculation thread. Really nothing to see here as Treliving selected Bennett with his first ever pick as GM and probably likes Bennett even more than the Ducks do.

Yeah I have noticed a fair bit of piling on Bennett on the other board which is the new narrative Oilers fans are pushing because they can no longer call Hamilton a bum. I have read Bennett being compared to Yakupov by Oilers fans on that site. A few Flames fans I am friends with and work with have also expressed impatience with Bennett and are in favor of trading him.

I definitely am a big believer in Bennett and think he still has the tools to be this teams best forward. Unlike Monahan and Gaudreau Bennett suffered the dreaded sophomore slump this year. I also think Bennett had an experience that I would describe as a watered down version of what Sven did in 2012 with his emergency recall. Bennett was called up late and earned a spot on the Flames playoff roster and looked very good in those games which created expectations for his rookie year. 36pts as a rookie coming off a season that was almost lost had it not been for 15 junior and 12 NHL games would have been excellent. I know I was guilty of expecting Sam to come in and put up 50-70pts as a 19 year old.

Things have come slower for Sam but by no means would I be willing to give up on him or even trade him for a player that is further ahead (Drouin for example) because I still believe that Bennett will pan out. The gritty style he plays is something that most teams covet including our management. Lastly next year he will be the same age as Gaudreau was in his rookie year and 2 years younger than Jankowski who is still a NHL rookie. Let's be patient with Sam and benefit from that patience

[Mean Mr. Mustard]

Bennett wouldn't be traded by the Flames, because anything would have to be a significant overpayment on the part of the other team based on potential alone. He has the potential to be a 70-80 point forward who is able to pester the opposition. The risk though is whether he has the frame to do so and avoid injury as in some ways he reminds me a bit of a better Gilbert Brule, a player who was a physical player in juniors but unable to transfer that to the bigger pro game. Personally from what I have seen of Bennett there is no way he should be traded as his potential dwarfs any possible return and would be the type of trade to bite a general manager in the ass in a few years time.

[united]

Barring a crazy trade involving like 10 players, a trade with the Ducks clearly doesn't make sense pre-expansion draft.

However if post-expansion draft the Ducks are high on Bennett and offer Lindholm in return - which I don't know why they would - take that and run. Adding Lindholm gives the Flames 2 of the top 5 defencemen under 25 years old in the NHL, in him and Hamilton, and when added to Giordano (33) and Brodie (26), you rival and probably beat the Predators for the best D-core in the league. Lindholm at $5.2 million for the next 5 seasons is ridiculous value.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Mean Mr. Mustard

...The risk though is whether he has the frame to do so and avoid injury as in some ways he reminds me a bit of a better Gilbert Brule, a player who was a physical player in juniors but unable to transfer that to the bigger pro game. Personally from what I have seen of Bennett there is no way he should be traded as his potential dwarfs any possible return and would be the type of trade to bite a general manager in the ass in a few years time.

Unlike Brule, Bennett is well within range of the average size of NHL players. I have seen this narrative about Bennett being a small player forwarded before, and I don't get it. I would agree that he is still a little undersized, but given his age I expect him to fill out his frame more over the next year or two. It is clear that Bennett currently struggles with NHL strength, but unlike Brule who was always quite small there is no good reason to think that with some seasoning and growth he will get there.

[OILFAN #81]

Originally Posted by united

Barring a crazy trade involving like 10 players, a trade with the Ducks clearly doesn't make sense pre-expansion draft.

However if post-expansion draft the Ducks are high on Bennett and offer Lindholm in return - which I don't know why they would - take that and run. Adding Lindholm gives the Flames 2 of the top 5 defencemen under 25 years old in the NHL, in him and Hamilton, and when added to Giordano (33) and Brodie (26), you rival and probably beat the Predators for the best D-core in the league. Lindholm at $5.2 million for the next 5 seasons is ridiculous value.

I think Anaheim is keen on keeping Fowler and Lindholm. Vatanen seems to be the one who would be likely moved out of the 3.

[MarkGio]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

from his 30 thoughts article were he suggests the Ducks might be willing to consider moving one of their defenders for Bennett, but he questions if they would do a deal with Calgary.

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/3...d-dubas-leafs/

I'm not sure why Friedman thought trade (or why everyone in this thread jumped to trade speculation). If anything, if the Ducks like Bennett they're probably looking to offer sheet him. If the Ducks sign him for 5.8 million, they give up a 1st and 3rd round pick. Do the Flames walk away at that salary? It's not like an Anaheim's 1st rounder + 3rd rounder is remotely close to the value of a 3rd overall pick. But that's some stupid salary, unless your Anahiem who will likely lose a sweet asset to the expansion draft.

[bucksmasher]

Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan

Agreed, but I have to say that I'm also quite critical of God. He/She/It has some 'splaining to do and I have some legitimate beefs with decisions made.

Nice!

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by OILFAN #81

I think Anaheim is keen on keeping Fowler and Lindholm. Vatanen seems to be the one who would be likely moved out of the 3.

I wouldn't be surprised at all to see Fowler dealt. He is not cost controlled (UFA next summer and rumored to be looking for $6 million or more per) and they could probably get some cost controlled assets in return for him, and Shea Theodore is looking pretty close to ready for 2nd pairing LHD duties.

And with Vatanen they have Montour just about ready to take that type of role with the team. An offensive minded right shot Dman.

Ducks are so masterful at drafting & developing NHL players and then recycling the over abundance of them for more draft picks and cost controlled assets.

Look at what they turned Bobby Ryan into just when his salary/cap hit was about to get out of control.

Sort of the same thing with Andersen last year. Flipping him for a 1st and 2nd rounder instead of paying him starter money and rolling with 23 year old Gibson at a meager $2.3 million.

Lindholm however won't be going anywhere. He's locked in for 5 more years at a very fair cap hit for what he brings.

I wouldn't at all be shocked to see them deal Vatanen before the ED and then Fowler later in the summer and roll with:

Lindholm - Montour
Theodore - Manson
Bieksa - ??????

Plus all the assets they get from trading two 1st/2nd pairing 25 year old Dmen, and then win another goddamn division title next season.

Pricks. lol

[Aarongavey]

Originally Posted by MarkGio

I'm not sure why Friedman thought trade (or why everyone in this thread jumped to trade speculation). If anything, if the Ducks like Bennett they're probably looking to offer sheet him. If the Ducks sign him for 5.8 million, they give up a 1st and 3rd round pick. Do the Flames walk away at that salary? It's not like an Anaheim's 1st rounder + 3rd rounder is remotely close to the value of a 3rd overall pick. But that's some stupid salary, unless your Anahiem who will likely lose a sweet asset to the expansion draft.

That would be if they offered Bennett that on a 4 or 5 year deal.

If they offered him that on a 7 year deal it would be 2 1sts, a 2nd and a 3rd. If they offered him that on a 6 year deal it would be a 1st, 2nd and a 3rd.

Also to sign that deal they would have to find some serious cap space that they do not currently have.