If Kingston is out, should the Flames bring in Bennett

[Bourque's Twin]

He should come up and get a feel for the NHL during playoff time. He should also be the first guy to substitute in for an injured 1st, 2nd, or 3rd line player.

[jaikorven]

Originally Posted by 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.

Interesting thought. It does make some sense. Thanks.

[Beatle17]

I think Bennett will end up being a great player, but some of the expectations in this thread about him coming up now and how great he will be should be tempered. Just look at a player like Johnathan Drouin, everyone's preseason pick for rookie of the year/PPG player with Stamkos etc., and how much difficulty he is having adapting to the NHL game during a full season. Imagine trying to step up 2 leagues at once in the most intense time of the year. I just think it would be better to allow him to come in later in the fall and build from that point.

[TheKurgan]

Bring him up to the big club. Sit Granlund and give Bennett some soft minutes on the third line. I could see a Raymond - Bennett - Jooris line giving teams fits with their speed.

[Badgers Nose]

IMO he won't get much from the AHL.

It's like Theo or Iggy, NHL playoff action helped them. Sam will be the same. 3rd line minutes in a playoff push or playoffs will give him a bit more critical time of year experience.

[KipperFaNaTic]

I'm surprised how many people opted for Bennett to play in the NHL. If there was still half a season left then I could see it being a possibility, however, there are only 5 games left in the regular season. I wouldn't abruptly insert him into the lineup this late in the season. Let him develop in the AHL and have him come back hungrier next season. Don't rush his development like the Oilers do with their young talent.

[Badgers Nose]

Originally Posted by 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.

Dude, maybe you haven't been keeping score. But Johnny needs no relief. He thrives under pressure.

Now, what the #### are teams facing Johnny Hockey supposed to do? They are in some pretty deep #### now, man.

Game over, man. Game over, what the #### are they supposed to do, huh, what are they gonna do?

[Beatle17]

Originally Posted by Badgers Nose

IMO he won't get much from the AHL.

It's like Theo or Iggy, NHL playoff action helped them. Sam will be the same. 3rd line minutes in a playoff push or playoffs will give him a bit more critical time of year experience.

Theo played almost half the season in the NHL before any playoffs. What is being suggested for Bennett may be closer to Iggy's time, but Iggy was the best Junior player in Canada for the WHOLE season before he got called up at the end.

[Badgers Nose]

It's 3-4 regular season games, maybe 4 playoff games. This will not stunt his growth. Nothing bad would come of this.

LOL

The dude is a stud. He is way to good for the OHL and AHL.

[Badgers Nose]

Somebody think of the children! Envolope Sam in bubble wrap and make hime wear two helmets!

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by Badgers Nose

It's 3-4 regular season games, maybe 4 playoff games. This will not stunt his growth. Nothing bad would come of this.

LOL

The dude is a stud. He is way to good for the OHL and AHL.

rather pessemistic

[Badgers Nose]

Originally Posted by dino7c

rather pessemistic

At this point I would be ecstatic with that.

Although, I really like their chances against YVR if that's who they line up against. I picked them to finish 18th in the league. They are doing way better than my (at the time) super optimistic projection.

Even if they miss the playoffs, I think Sam ebenfits form the experience. It's obvious he is impatient to start his NHL career too. IMO it would be a long summer for him without an NHL start.

Give him easier minutes on the 3rd or 4th line, play him RW. He will produce more than the current optiosn on those lines, at leats I think so.

[Brewmaster]

I have to laugh a bit at the Baertschi comparison, as if scoring 3 goals in 5 games would somehow be a negative if Bennett managed to do the same. Players like Bennett are always going to have big expectations and don't need to be coddled into the NHL. I'm not saying he should be handed top line duties, but getting his first taste of big game NHL experience is not going to somehow damage him as a player.

Also, for every Drouin that struggles to adjust there is a MacKinnon that blows away expectations. MacKinnon was Colorado's best player at the end of last season and was unbelievable in the playoffs as an 18 year old. Let's give Bennett the chance and see if he can do the same.

[Badgers Nose]

IMO Sam is going to open eyes the same way Johnny and Monahan did. His maturity and win at all costs mentality will fit right in with the core of this team. That's what I think anyway.

This team always gives good rookies a taste late in the season. With injuries, it makes even more sense to give him a shot. And just watch him earn his way up to the second line almost immediately.

[Stay Golden]

I look back to a 18-19 yr old Iginla straight out of Kamloops to the Flames during the playoffs. Add Bennett to the Flames if he becomes available.

[TheKurgan]

Originally Posted by KipperFaNaTic

I'm surprised how many people opted for Bennett to play in the NHL. If there was still half a season left then I could see it being a possibility, however, there are only 5 games left in the regular season. I wouldn't abruptly insert him into the lineup this late in the season. Let him develop in the AHL and have him come back hungrier next season. Don't rush his development like the Oilers do with their young talent.

Bennett was with the Flames most of the year rehabbing his shoulder. He practiced with them for close to a month before he was sent down to the OHL. I think he will be fine.

[Mister Yamoto]

I didn't want sent back in the first place. Put him in!!!!!

[Vinny01]

Again not to bring up Sven again but Bennett is known to have a fairly strong 2 way game unlike Baertschi who had to work on that in the minors

[chubeyr1]

If Bennett is available you call him up to the NHL roster.

Said to of been third best player on the ice in practice, sent to the ohl to get back in game shape, proved that he has not lost a step.

As for Sven scenarios? Different player different time.

Not saying Sam should play, want him too, and he is great insurance. Sure there will be lots of media around him but......... Our other players take alot of the media pressure away from him.

Cant see how a call up hurts his development, or hurts the Flames in any way. He could also become a huge spark for this team too. I just dont see a downside!

[Table 5]

One thing to remember is that Jarome Iginla was on a team that went deep in the playoffs multiple years in a row, won two Memorial Cups, and was named the WHL player off the year. He had 56 points in his WHL playoff career alone.

Sam Bennett has not advanced past the 1st round once in 3 years and has 14 playoff points in that time-span. I like the guy as much as anyone else, but let's not pretend that he's experienced every accolade and milestone there is outside of the NHL, and that any other experience will hold him back. We'd have been much better off if he took this midling Kingston team on his shoulder and bulldozed his way past a few rounds. Frankly, I don't see how 2 assists in 3 games, and being a -4, can be considered anything but a bit of a letdown considering his pace in the last month of the season. If we look at it objectively, if he's not producing in the OHL playoffs, what makes us think he will in the NHL playoffs. Always earned, never given, right?

I'd be excited to see him play, and I don't think its a massive deal one way or another whether he plays in the NHL or AHL this year, but I guess in a year that has had a 21 year-old Gaudreau fight for a Calder, a 20 year old Monahan emerge as one of the leagues young stars, Josh Jooris come out of nowhere, and rookie appearances from promising players like Granlund, Ferland, Shore, Poirier and Wolf...it seems a little weird that people are still not satisfied with the amount of youth on this team this year.

I guess I just don't get the frantic need to get him on this team. Sam will be a star for this team for many years to come...let's enjoy who we have playing for us today. They are the ones who got us into this situation.