Sam Bennett Value: Have the Flames held on TOO long? OR is he awesome?

[The Boy Wonder]

Originally Posted by Winsor_Pilates

He seems more likely to turn into a solid 2 way, 3rd line player than an offensive top 6 at this point.
That's not necessarily a bad thing, just not reflective of his draft position. A Backlund type mold is his max potential IMO.

Of course that seems more likely... that's all he's been used as up to this point. No PP time, consistently on the third line...

You drafted him expecting a top 6 forward, you treat him and groom him as a bottom six forward, and eventually you can't really expect him to develop into anything but a bottom six forward.

I hope he does develop and I think it will happen, I wish he would get brouwerplay minutes over the next little while here, and maybe a bump up the lineup if anyone falters.

[transplant99]

Sam really needs to be sat for a game or two.

Simply not adding anything to the team, in fact is hurting them.

Nothing wrong with a young guy struggling to watch for a bit from above, reset, come back strong.

[the2bears]

Originally Posted by transplant99

Sam really needs to be sat for a game or two.

Simply not adding anything to the team, in fact is hurting them.

Nothing wrong with a young guy struggling to watch for a bit from above, reset, come back strong.

Yeah, a game in the press box would be good.

[Beninho]

I’d rather have Brouwer playing right now then bennett. Very unfortunate that Bennett has seen zero progression in his time with the Flames. Luckily most of the other young players have shown progression which makes me think that it’s not a Flames development issue but it’s a Sam bennett might just be a big fat bust issue. Win some and you lose some with the draft, I just don’t see it at all with him.

[Classic_Sniper]

Kid needs to be sat. He’s back to his old ineffective, uninspired and frustrating self. Hurts his team with unbelievably dumb selfish penalties. He doesn’t get it and may never will, the type of penalties he takes are purely instinctual. The way he’s been playing for most of this season, I’m not sure how much rope he’ll have left with this organization.

[jonkaupp]

Inconsistent. That’s the only word we should associate with Bennett. At this point we’ll be lucky if he turns into an effective third line player, which at this point he isn’t

[jonkaupp]

Originally Posted by TheIronMaiden

I think that trading a player who will probably become a scoring winger for an aging scoring winger is very near sighted. This team is not a cup contender yet, and they shouldn't be forced into a position where they have to act like a contender. There is no quick fix in the NHL. I think that patience is very important for the management, and the fans.

What in Bennett’s progression (steadily down) suggests that he is destined to be a scoring player at any position? At this point I’m just hoping he can be an ok fourth line grinder, which he isn’t at this point. It sucks but it is what it is. This #### about it being Gulutzans fault is hilarious given how well Tkachuk has developed under him.

[jonkaupp]

Originally Posted by Flamefan1

Bennett will play a big role on this team. We should not be talking about trading this guy or we will quickly become another Edmonton Oiler team (see Hall, Schultz and Eberle).

Lol, Bennett as a flame isn’t in Oiler versions of Hall or Eberles stratosphere. Give me a break

[Classic_Sniper]

Originally Posted by Flamefan1

Bennett will play a big role on this team. We should not be talking about trading this guy or we will quickly become another Edmonton Oiler team (see Hall, Schultz and Eberle).

If you ask me, Bennett is actually trending closer to Yakupov right now. The numbers aren’t all that different and the sheer number of bad penalties he takes has to put him in the same ball park.

[Beninho]

Comparing Bennett to Hall and Eberle is ridiculous because the latter 2 are very good players who always put up good numbers but the Oilers have no idea what asset management is and traded them off for awful value. Bennett has had zero consistency and has way more bad games then good. If Bennett could recoup a first right now I think the Flames would take it, no team is offering their 1st for Bennett tho.

[blender]

Agree with the disappointment over Bennett. I'm feeling it too.

That said, I don't see the logic in trading him given how low his value would be. Something needs to change and it's up to the coaching staff that implement it. I do agree that sitting for a game or two would be a good start.

I still have faith that he can turn it around, but it is only faith at this point, rather than being performance-based.

[Poe969]

Maybe Bennett was holding Brouwer back...

[united]

The more I watch Sam Bennett the more I'm reminded of Benoit Pouliot.

Both were top-five picks (both fourth, actually).
Both are players with solid frames.
Both play with an edge without being dirty.
Both have good hands.
Both are decent skaters.
Neither has good vision.
Neither has a great release.
And what reminds me most is both take a ludicrous amount of needless offensive zone penalties. It's just one after another.

I'm not saying Bennett is Pouliot, because Bennett is better offensively and has a higher ceiling still...but Pouliot was never able to overcome his lack of hockey IQ despite good attributes in many other areas, or "on paper". I sure hope Bennett can turn things around but it seems like his decision making is declining instead of improving. I said on this forum I thought this would be his 50-point breakout year, but barring a nice mid-season run, he's been mostly a disappointment. Two immensely frustrating players.

[TOfan]

Bennett, so disappointing. How much longer can the Flames afford to keep him in the line up?

'But why isn't he on the top line? Its Glen Gulutzan's fault!' ....please. Just stop.

Time to recoup a second round pick while we still can. Brutal.

[Love]

I hope BT can sell Chayka on the change of scenery angle and try and pull Max Domi for Bennett and a little plus.

[TOfan]

Originally Posted by Love

I hope BT can sell Chayka on the change of scenery angle and try and pull Max Domi for Bennett and a little plus.

Plus a little? I would do it straight up and throw in a mid round pick.

[IgiTang]

Originally Posted by TOfan

Plus a little? I would do it straight up and throw in a mid round pick.

I’d rather try and pry Dvorak out of AZ for Bennett. If Back’s is gone, Chucky gets his old Center back?

[Bourque's Twin]

Why was Bennett such a beast as a rookie and in the playoffs last season? I know he has great hockey in him. He is good in front of the net and along the boards. Something is wrong with him upstairs. I wish GG could figure something out.

[TOfan]

Originally Posted by Bourque's Twin

Why was Bennett such a beast as a rookie and in the playoffs last season? I know he has great hockey in him. He is good in front of the net and along the boards. Something is wrong with him upstairs. I wish GG could figure something out.

Why did Rene bourque look like a force for 2-3 years?

It's not up to GG to figure Sam out, it's up to Sam.

[TOfan]

Originally Posted by IgiTang

I’d rather try and pry Dvorak out of AZ for Bennett. If Back’s is gone, Chucky gets his old Center back?

Not sure how losing Bennett and backlund for Dvorak makes sense.