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

[sureLoss]

5 reasons why Bennett should stay with the Flames and 5 reasons he should go back to Kingston
http://www.thehockeynews.com/blog/fi...XTkAr0.twitter

[Gaskal]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

5 reasons why Bennett should stay with the Flames and 5 reasons he should go back to Kingston
http://www.thehockeynews.com/blog/fi...XTkAr0.twitter

Very interesting how the "Stay" reasons are all team-performance based and all the "Junior" reasons are more from an organizational basis. One year in junior and then he's here for good.

[Fire of the Phoenix]

Really don't see the harm in giving Bennett his 9 games. I'm in favor of him going back to the OHL but I would like to see him rewarded for his stellar play so far and to give him an idea of what's it's like in the NHL once the games mean something. The experience would be a valuable learning tool, helping him realize what he needs to work on in order to succeed next year.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Fire of the Phoenix

People forget that unrestricted free agency didn't really exist back then either. The team basically owned you until they didn't want you anymore. You have to see the dispute in the context of when it happened. Also I believe Gilmour was most angry about how the process went down with Risebrough being all chummy with the arbitrator. I really think his legacy would be viewed as more positive if his trade wasn't completely butchered, helping usher in the dark years. Being traded for garbage was hardly his fault. I think it's time to move on from vilifying Doug Gilmour and focus on the good he brought this franchise. No Gilmour means no cup after all. It would be a travesty if his #39 isn't honored at some point.

When did they bring in unrestricted free agency? I thought the age at the time of the Gilmour fiasco was 31, but I could easily be wrong.

At any rate, there are definitely 2 sides to the story. It wasn't uncommon in those days for owners to come up with creative ways to underpay players by promising them future rewards (i.e., sign for a discount now, and we'll give you a bigger contract next time, or a "special services" contract after you retire, or Little Caesars shares... ect...). The NHL has done their best to stamp these out now, but I am sure it still happens on the down-low in some franchises.

IIRC, Gilmour was given a handshake deal from the former GM that the new GM did not want to honour. Tough beans for Gilmour, but not an excuse to walk out on his teammates. It was the decision he made at the time to accept a handshake deal.

Having said that, players were generally underpaid back then and it's water under the bridge now.

[Fire of the Phoenix]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

When did they bring in unrestricted free agency? I thought the age at the time of the Gilmour fiasco was 31, but I could easily be wrong.

At any rate, there are definitely 2 sides to the story. It wasn't uncommon in those days for owners to do come up with creative ways to underpay players by promising them future rewards (i.e., sign for a discount now, and we'll give you a bigger contract next time, or a "special services" contract after you retire, or Little Caesars shares... ect...). The NHL has done their best to stamp these out now, but I am sure it still happens on the down-low in some franchises.

IIRC, Gilmour was given a handshake deal from the former GM that the new GM did not want to honour. Tough beans for Gilmour, but not an excuse to walk out on his teammates. It was the decision he made at the time.

Having said that, players were generally underpaid back then and it's water under the bridge now.

I believe UFA as we know it now was brought in following the lockout in 1995.

[saillias]

I think the 9 games thing is more of an anomaly than a standard. If he's good enough for 9, then he's probably enough for all of it. If he's getting sent down, do it right away, let him get settled back in with his junior team rather than abruptly removing him from the NHL environment and rejoining a junior squad in November(?) that's already played for 2 months.

[TheGrimm]

As much as I would love to watch Bennett play this year in the NHL. It's better for him to play another year in juniors. We can sort out the backlog that is Granlund/Knight/Reinhart etc and figure out which one of them can cut it in the NHL before we bring Bennett up next year. If he's playing in the NHL this year we might be forced into letting the wrong guy walk at some point.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Let Bennett play another year in the OHL, then I think he'll be ready for the big leagues. He won't need 2 more years in the OHL.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

I don't have a fricken clue, where Bennett's development will be best served, so I'm going to trust that the people piloting the ship here have a decent sense and will hopefully put him wherever that is.

Selfishly, I hope that's with the Flames so I get to watch him this season, but that's all I really know.

[djsFlames]

He won't be eligible next season for the AHL, but he's already too good for the OHL and without a doubt will be even more so next season. All signs point to him being full time in the NHL next year, but what if he nets a couple goals in the games this week and outshines the rest of the AHL and NCAA kids? I suppose 9 games would be a just reward. Otherwise the Flames mgmt would be lying these kids about giving what's earned.

I think 9 games is fair. And if he really is by chance good enough for the NHL this year, then he'll be able to prove it to Treliving and co in that handful of games, and have a chance for them to opt to keep him, like they did Monahan after he had some stellar games last October.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

...what if he nets a couple goals in the games this week and outshines the rest of the AHL and NCAA kids? I suppose 9 games would be a just reward. Otherwise the Flames mgmt would be lying these kids about giving what's earned...

Or they could be telling their players something different in private than what they divulge to the public through the media.

In the end, I expect the even if Bennett is good enough to play in the NHL, even if he does earn himself a spot on the team by way of his exceptional play, the team will likely send him back to juniour.

He is REALLY young, has only played two years in the OHL, and another full season won't hurt him in the least. A year in Calgary might, though.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Cleveland Steam Whistle

I don't have a fricken clue, where Bennett's development will be best served, so I'm going to trust that the people piloting the ship here have a decent sense and will hopefully put him wherever that is.

My take:
· Another year in juniour won't hurt and might help tremendously a player of his age and experience.
· A full season in the NHL might hurt and won't necessarily help a player of his age and experience.

Bennett's future is bright no matter where he plays this year, but I would bet that the safest course of action is to return him to Kingston.

[Robbob]

The main reason I don't want him on the club this year is that there are going to be some periods of soul sucking suckage that could damage a players psyche (kind of the same reason I want Gaudreau to start in the AHL). Being in a winning environment can only help when developing (which I think Kingston and Glen Falls will be).

[Ozy_Flame]

We pretty much know Bennett is on a good path to becoming a solid, future player for the Flames, pretty much a sure thing. That said, it's best to give the scarce few roster spots to other talents who need the exposure with NHL experience to get them over the bubble. Guys like Reinhart, Granlund or Ferland should be playing with the big club.

Bennett could benefit from a roster spot this year, but at the same time, guys with lesser skillsets can benefit further to develop their own.

[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by Robbob

The main reason I don't want him on the club this year is that there are going to be some periods of soul sucking suckage that could damage a players psyche (kind of the same reason I want Gaudreau to start in the AHL). Being in a winning environment can only help when developing (which I think Kingston and Glen Falls will be).

Yes, let's improve this team by keeping our good players away from this team.

[GoJetsGo]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

Yes, let's improve this team by keeping our good players away from this team.

Yea, got a good young player? Give them 6x6 and a free pass into the top six. That sounds like a great plan for improving our team.

[Rick M.]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

My take:
· Another year in juniour won't hurt and might help tremendously a player of his age and experience.
· A full season in the NHL might hurt and won't necessarily help a player of his age and experience.

Bennett's future is bright no matter where he plays this year, but I would bet that the safest course of action is to return him to Kingston.

Junior hockey is not exactly a playpen. Bennett had a separated shoulder and 2 groin injuries last season. The safest course of action would be for him to play horseshoes.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

Yes, let's improve this team by keeping our good players away from this team.

Let's improve this team by hurting our players' development, when they aren't possibly ready to make the 82 game jump yet.

[PugnaciousIntern]

Originally Posted by Robbob

The main reason I don't want him on the club this year is that there are going to be some periods of soul sucking suckage that could damage a players psyche (kind of the same reason I want Gaudreau to start in the AHL). Being in a winning environment can only help when developing (which I think Kingston and Glen Falls will be).

While I agree that a 'winning culture' is a real thing that should be encouraged, I think we often forget that these kids didn't start playing hockey when they show up to camp. They've got 15+ years of experience, including a few at an impressively high level. In Bennett's case in particular, part of his appeal was his attitude and approach to hockey. I'm not concerned until it looks like we will go down the Oiler-stink garden path year after year.

Plenty of reasons to send him back to the OHL, but I don't think that should be one of them

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Rick M.

Junior hockey is not exactly a playpen. Bennett had a separated shoulder and 2 groin injuries last season. The safest course of action would be for him to play horseshoes.

I'm not even talking primarily about his physical readiness. There are all sorts of things that come with professional hockey at the NHL level that could prove to be overwhelming to an eighteen-year-old kid, and could potentially affect him adversely. From living halfway across the country and away from his family, to the challenges of independence, to the higher demands in practice and training, to the removal of his peer group, to the sudden financial independence.

The OHL, with his billets, close to home, and within his peer group is just simply a safer environment for him to be in. I don't think there is any question about that.