Sam Bennett discussion: 2 points in 3 games so far

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

What a game, looked so poised son quickly. Wouldn't have dreamed he be that comfortable in his second game in the NHL and first playoff game to boot. Got to hand it to Hartley too, it's like he knows exactly when these guys are ready and exactly what the need. Miss like magic.

[polak]

The fact that this was ever in question is evidence that human evolution is not complete. That was an unbelievable game by Bennett. Arguably the best player on the ice.

[Geeoff]

I heard that Vancouver is using their home ice advantage to make game 2 a pull-up contest. Looks like Bennett is out. If only we could call up Big Ern.

[skudr248]

So... anyone still think Raymond should have played in place off Bennett yesterday? LOL

#### raymond.

[sureLoss]

LOL Ben Kuzma trying to claim all the rumors we heard about the Canucks trying to trade up at the 2014 draft to get Sam Reinhart was in fact attempts to get Sam Bennett.

Funny this comes out just after Bennett stellar performance against the Canucks

http://blogs.theprovince.com/2015/04...medium=twitter

That’s why it’s not surprising in their effort to move up in the 2014 draft, before picking winger Jake Virtanen sixth overall, the Canucks had coveted Bennett, not Sam Reinhart. And who wouldn’t?

“I definitely knew they (Canucks) had some interest and I talked to them quite a bit at the draft,” said the Bennett.

[heep223]

yay

[MrMastodonFarm]

"The Bennett"

I like it.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

Give it a rest. People can have an opinion.
The "told ya so" posts are useless.
This site is about discussion. People can have strong opinions and end up being wrong. So be it. Calling them blow-hards is not necessary.
Worry less about the opinions of others and just enjoy the hockey.

Yeah, really.

A lot of things happened this past season that if everyone were called out, everyone would have to eat crow at some point.

Most fans didn't think the playoffs were a realistic goal this season. A lot of people didn't like the Hiller signing. A lot of people thought that Gaudreau would need time in the AHL. Some people didn't think Bennett was ready to play in the NHL playoffs. If you go back far enough, there are those that didn't like the Hudler, Wideman and Russell acquisitions (I know I was dead wrong about Russell). There were a LOT of people that hated bringing in Harley.

There... are we all idiots now? We should just enjoy what has been given to us without having to call everyone out every time they are wrong.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by FBI

Um, our team is going to be freaking awesome pretty soon.

Sorry, but I think we can agree on this....

[JohnnyTitan]

I don't want to over-do it, but the addition of Bennett seemed to take the Flames from a one-line team to a four-line team last night!

I know Ferland has looked good for a while now...but it just seems that other teams will need to key on MonHudreau which leaves the door open for Bennett-Backlund-Colbourne to roam and then there is really no depth match against our bottom-six now including a motivated Jones and an energetic Ferland. LOVE THIS TEAM!

[ForeverFlameFan]

Bennett was the reason why we actually could call the line behind our first line an actual 2nd line. Easily was the best line last night.

[vicarious]

Gary Roberts 2.0

[chummer]

nm

[JohnnyTitan]

Just for the hell of it, here is a breakdown of some of his highlights. I watched over lunch and jotted down the exact times. I think one of his big "Drive the net" plays is missing, but it's still nice to see in an elongated format:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8rzg5DC-58

Don't watch everything - skip to these times:

-- 2:45 beats Lack to a puck, great pass to Backlund leading to two chances.
-- 4:00 pass from Jones, drives the net resulting in a backhander on Lack
-- 6:00 Bennett drives the net, like a bull for the rebound and then gets a penalty
-- 9:10 Bennett nice PP pass, ready for a rebound
-- 17:15 "The Shift" Mostly Colbourne, but Bennett out there with 90 seconds left in Game #1..and doesn't look out of place at all! Two setups and the eventual screen. Woot!!

[getbak]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

LOL Ben Kuzma trying to claim all the rumors we heard about the Canucks trying to trade up at the 2014 draft to get Sam Reinhart was in fact attempts to get Sam Bennett.

Funny this comes out just after Bennett stellar performance against the Canucks

http://blogs.theprovince.com/2015/04...medium=twitter

Excellent. The Canucks wanted him but couldn't get him. The Oilers could have had him but didn't want him.

Now, we get to watch him dismantle both teams for years to come.

[CanadaMatt]

I haven't been through the entire thread, so apologies if this has been posted. From sportsnet.ca

"He (Bennett) already has one more playoff game under his belt than every player drafted by the Edmonton Oilers since their rebuild began."

I love how it's both Bennett related and Edmonton is No Good related.

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/b...playoff-story/

[GioforPM]

I actually missed all the "blowhards" saying not to play Bennett. Even I, as much as I defended Raymond from what I figured was overblown criticism (same as did with Stajan/Colborne/Backlund at times) was fine with him playing, and said so in the previous practice thread.

What I admit I didn't expect was the impact, but that was just me tempering expectations for myself. And I still am tempering them, given first real games (I don't count the Jets one because of linemates and situation) can result in weird things, both under and overachieving. I actually don't think Bennett will regress in his second game, but he may get a closer look from Vancouver.

[dammage79]

For Bennett, he should settle in nicely from here on out. The big jittery games are now out of the way. Just need to be cautious about taking too many penalties.

If Bennett starts scoring Vancouver is going to have issues deciding which of the top 2 lines to cover with their best defensive players.

Bennett is the truest definition of and X-factor in this series. I love it!

[Coach]

I thought Bennett had a very nice game last night.

The one thing I will say is that you can see how we lucked out with Monahan when comparing his on-ice demeanor to Bennett. Bennett was like a caged animal, running around, hitting, getting dirty, I loved it. But it also showed some immaturity on his part; getting out of position to try and force defensive plays, the penalty, and overall just a lot of running around. A stark contrast to Monahan's level-headedness and stability.

It's a good thing he is being started on the wing. If he had been thrown to the wolves (aka, if he was an Oiler), he would have been a tire-fire at centre.

Love the energy and enthusiasm he brings.

[Fire]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

I actually missed all the "blowhards" saying not to play Bennett. Even I, as much as I defended Raymond from what I figured was overblown criticism (same as did with Stajan/Colborne/Backlund at times) was fine with him playing, and said so in the previous practice thread.

I don't think any "blowhards" were saying that Bennett shouldn't be playing. They (including me) thought the chances of Hartley playing him in Game 1 was basically 0%.