[News] With the 4th overall pick the Flames select C Sam Bennett

[SHOGUN]

Originally Posted by scrapnul

Wait Toews = Monohan
Kane = Gaudreau.
Bennet = Doug Gilmour

dunno. its sports so I say stuff.

Let's make it clear I don't think Monahan plays like Toews... Gaudreau has similar attributes as Kane but I only used those two as an example because they are very good hockey players but play different styles of hockey.

[Frank MetaMusil]

Originally Posted by Tinordi

On paper, the Flames look like one of the five worst teams in the league.

Could they surprise? Yes.

Much more likely, IMO, that they finish as one of the five worst teams in the league.

Doesn't help that they play in the West either where they should get beaten up on a regular basis by the top teams in the west who mostly improved this offseason.

Teams that got better proportionately to the Flames in the West by trade and fa aquisitions:

Anaheim
Dallas
Colorado
St. Louis
Chicago
Minnesota
Vancouver

LA didn't do anything but they're the champs have to lump them in.

The key that many fans don't seem to calculate is how the Flames improved relatively to their competition. That's what matters. Evaluating the Flames roster in a vacuum compared to last year tells you basically nothing to how they'll fare against other teams this year.

They won the season series vs both LA and Chicago last season. With Reto Berra in goal. I agree with those saying a lot of things went right last season, but if they'd had a 30 goal guy on the roster like Iginla, maybe 7 or 8 of those 49 one goal games tip the scale into the win column and they make the playoffs. Calgary isn't nearly as crappy as some may think.

Calgary absolutely needs to take points away from Vancouver this season if they are going to make any noise. Edmonton poses no challenge.

[bubbsy]

what a game by the kid last night. To be honest, other than the pre-draft hype, especially when he got ranked #1 by some scouting agencies, i didn't know much about his playing style other than the "gilmour-ish" comments thrown around.

on hf there was a thread comparing him to duchene, and i thought that was a bit over the top, considering how good duchene is.

Last night's game made the comparison in playing style quite apparent. I didn't realize just how good a skater he was. there are more and more good skaters comingi into the league, what really stood out for me was how bennet can make plays at top speed, which i think is the rationale in comparing him to a guy like duchene, who is amazing at top speed.

i had already considered bennet going to kingston an inevitability. Last night has me more on the fence all of a sudden.

[Robbob]

really really liked what I saw out of him last game. I also thought Kingston was inevitable but his game has me wondering. Will be interesting how he fairs deeper into the preseason as more the rosters get closer to NHL caliber. The fact he got a ton a compliments from the Canucks broadcast also means this is a fanbase pumping up their prospect.

[fanman]

If he keeps playing like this he's definitely making a case to stay. I just worry that he's not physically ready for the NHL grind. I'd hate to see him pick-up some nagging injuries because he was rushed onto the Flames, something like with RNH in Edmonton.

It might be best case scenario that he gets his 9 games in then returns to junior and the WJC to rip it up. Bulk up over the summer and step into the lineup next season.

[Caged Great]

I would rather he go back to junior either way. His skill, like Gaudreau, is undeniable. However, it would be a lot better for him in the long run if he gets to kick butt in Kingston and come destroy the league next year. He's just a little to light for the style he plays. If he was a finesse guy like Gaudreau, I could see him staying this season, but he's not.

Come back next year when he's 15-20 pounds heavier like Monahan was this year and let him rip.

[JBR]

How nice is it to read a discussion about which great kids will be the bigger NHL star! First time in a while. Even if they return to junior and/or Glens Falls, I'm hoping they're in the lineup opening night. They'll be jacked and the place will be absolutely electric.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Robbob]

Originally Posted by Oil Stain

I can't believe 2/3's of the board picked Gaudreau over Bennett as top prospect.

This kid is going to be a great player.

A lot of people did put some emphasis on who was more NHL ready. Being drafted 4th overall you better be ridiculously high in the prospect pool. I think it is a compliment to Gaudreau that he has progressed that far for a 4th rounder.

I think there is no doubt that Bennett will be a great player and only time will tell how much talent Gaudreau has in his pinky.

[TheGrimm]

Originally Posted by Robbob

A lot of people did put some emphasis on who was more NHL ready. Being drafted 4th overall you better be ridiculously high in the prospect pool. I think it is a compliment to Gaudreau that he has progressed that far for a 4th rounder.

I think there is no doubt that Bennett will be a great player and only time will tell how much talent Gaudreau has in his pinky.

I still think as of today, Gaudreau is the better player, though admittedly the gap seems pretty narrow this morning.

The thing I am impressed with about Bennett is his willingness and eagerness to be "the guy", you can't reach that kind of assertiveness and confidence.

[Erick Estrada]

For a skinny kid he looked pretty strong on the puck. As he matures and gets bigger/stronger he's got a chance to be a dominant puck possession player.

[Calgary4LIfe]

Originally Posted by TheGrimm

I still think as of today, Gaudreau is the better player, though admittedly the gap seems pretty narrow this morning.

The thing I am impressed with about Bennett is his willingness and eagerness to be "the guy", you can't reach that kind of assertiveness and confidence.

He has that 'swagger' about him, that's for sure. The right kind of swagger - not the cocky entitled attitude. Really great to see his fearlessness and confidence out there.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Wasn't able to watch the game last night... Was very busy and I didn't even go on CP before I went to bed. How did Bennett do?

From what I've read (from you guys), we know he has the skill, but we will give him a couple of years in the OHL to further his development, to come back stronger than ever?

[jg13]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

Wasn't able to watch the game last night... Was very busy and I didn't even go on CP before I went to bed. How did Bennett do?

From what I've read (from you guys), we know he has the skill, but we will give him a couple of years in the OHL to further his development, to come back stronger than ever?

If he has another strong game in one of the two remaining pre season games I can see him potentially getting 9 games in the regular season with the injury to backlund.

[Bingo]

double post

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

Gaudreau has a lot more than puck skills. He actually excels in every attribute except physicality. He backchecks very well, anticipates the play better than anyone in our system, has deceptive speed and a great shot. Only puck skills? I don't think we're watching the same player

I feel so bad for Flames fans, what an annoying situation to have to argue what of the two top prospects is better.

It was way easier when we just knew Eric Nystrom was the best product and we could just go from there.

Ahh the old days.

[automaton 3]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

Wasn't able to watch the game last night... Was very busy and I didn't even go on CP before I went to bed. How did Bennett do?

From what I've read (from you guys), we know he has the skill, but we will give him a couple of years in the OHL to further his development, to come back stronger than ever?

He was flying. Elite skater. Great hands. Tenacious on the puck and made plays with confidence.

He appears to have all the tools to be a very special player. I think he is just a bit light to play that style night in night out in the NHL at this stage.

I do think the Flames will keep him up for at least a cup of coffee though.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

Wasn't able to watch the game last night... Was very busy and I didn't even go on CP before I went to bed. How did Bennett do?

From what I've read (from you guys), we know he has the skill, but we will give him a couple of years in the OHL to further his development, to come back stronger than ever?

I doubt he is anywhere more then a year away from the NHL. two years in the O wouldn't do him much good.

I think its very likely that he gets a 9 game look though.

[cannon7]

Need to see more strong play from Bennett. Can see the Flames giving him a nine game look if he keeps this up. The Flames have some tough decisions to make, I think Baertschi and Gaudreau have played well and just don't see how all the pieces will fit.

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

From what I've read (from you guys), we know he has the skill, but we will give him a couple of years in the OHL to further his development, to come back stronger than ever?

I think a year (as opposed to a couple of years) I don't see the Flames keeping him off the roster two years. He's still physically immature and was one of the younger draft-eligible guys in his draft class so better he go back to the OHL. I wouldn't even bother keeping him for the nine games... even if Backlund isn't ready to go (we have older center prospects like Granlund to fill in until Backs is back in game shape).

[Red Menace]

Do we really think the Flames will send one or more of those 12 Fwds on 1 way deals down to the Farm?
I hope they do, but it has never been the case in the past.