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

[SeanCharles]

I think Bennett could be part of the makeup of a 3rd line that I think we should be aiming towards by acquiring some more C/RW depth.

Gaudreau-Monahan-
Tkachuk-Lindholm-
Bennett-Backlund-Mangiapane
Lucic-Ryan-Czarnik

Even though Bennett hasnt become a top 6 doesn't mean he can't be a useful player. But if we need to move him to add a significant piece ok then we can talk about moving him. Otherwise hes cheap enough and is still young and plays the game the right way.

[Flames1217]

Originally Posted by SeanCharles

I think Bennett could be part of the makeup of a 3rd line that I think we should be aiming towards by acquiring some more C/RW depth.

Gaudreau-Monahan-
Tkachuk-Lindholm-
Bennett-Backlund-Mangiapane
Lucic-Ryan-Czarnik

Even though Bennett hasnt become a top 6 doesn't mean he can't be a useful player. But if we need to move him to add a significant piece ok then we can talk about moving him. Otherwise hes cheap enough and is still young and plays the game the right way.

I really like the idea of having Eatbread and Bennett together. I think that both players can be great third liners in the league.

Keeping them on the team while providing cheap depth is key, we can't build a successful team while structured around 5 million dollar third liners.

With Lucic, Ryan and Frolik making what they do we need to find a way to cut cash, both Bennett and Eatbread do this for what they bring.

[David Struch]

Agree with the cheap depth being key, that's why I was so surprised Hathaway wasn't brought back, instead he gets a 4 year pact at 1.5 million from the Caps. (one of our best PK'ers)

I'd say Ryan is worth every penny of his 3.125 million, Flames 6th most important forward (6th forward in points & ice-time), he could've been tried at RW had the Kadri deal went through.

Is Bennett really that good of a deal at 2.55 million though, someone suggested he could come back on a cheaper contract but I think another team would snatch him up. (likely the Leafs, Hmm, would Sam switch to #39?)

[Ped]

Originally Posted by Dion

The biggest one has to be goaltender Trevor Kidd. Fletcher traded down to get him while Jersey picked Marty Broduer later in the first round

With the Flames pick, iirc.

[Pointman]

Bennett: 332 GP 58 G 63A 121P
Yakupov: 350 GP 62 G 74 A 136P
Saprykin: 325 GP 55 G 82 A 137P

The reason why Yakupov is in the KHL and Bennett is in the NHL is not because Yakupov is more of a bust, but because Yakupov is Russian and has a fairly rich and decent league to play at home. If Bennett was Russian, he would be in the KHL by now.

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by Pointman

Bennett: 332 GP 58 G 63A 121P
Yakupov: 350 GP 62 G 74 A 136P
Saprykin: 325 GP 55 G 82 A 137P

The reason why Yakupov is in the KHL and Bennett is in the NHL is not because Yakupov is more of a bust, but because Yakupov is Russian and has a fairly rich and decent league to play at home. If Bennett was Russian, he would be in the KHL by now.

I'll be honest, while I'm not the biggest Bennett backer out there, that's tough to see.

[Manhattanboy]

The thread title is now rather comical.

[CsInMyBlood]

Originally Posted by blender

Can anyone argue that the Flames are better tomorrow with Bennet gone for a 3rd round pick?

Why is moving on from him a discussion point?

How many offensive zone penalties will this third round pick be taking?

[Dragomir]

Originally Posted by Pointman

Bennett: 332 GP 58 G 63A 121P
Yakupov: 350 GP 62 G 74 A 136P
Saprykin: 325 GP 55 G 82 A 137P

The reason why Yakupov is in the KHL and Bennett is in the NHL is not because Yakupov is more of a bust, but because Yakupov is Russian and has a fairly rich and decent league to play at home. If Bennett was Russian, he would be in the KHL by now.

Ouch, that is really eye opening. Man that 2014 draft was rough...


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[Psytic]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

Bennett has scored some nice snipes in his day. Not sure I call his shot a muffin. Might want to take a look at some of his goals again.

Took a look. didnt change my mind. Connolly's is better.

[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by jayswin

I did a little digging on sports busts and it seems the most standard definition of bust is a vague "not living up to expectations".



From wiki







I can't get to where Bingo is with bust definition, as I feel Bennett is a clear bust, but then I also don't agree with the most broadly accepting bust definition of any high pick that doesn't meet expectations.



Because by that standard like 70% of high NHL picks would be busts.

So a player like Frolik would be considered a bust, by those definitions?

A high first round draft pick who’s offence never developed as expected.


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[transplant99]

Originally Posted by The Cobra

So a player like Frolik would be considered a bust, by those definitions?

A high first round draft pick who’s offence never developed as expected.


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I think a little context would help.

Beyond being a much better offensive player than Bennett his entire career, he also contributed greatly defensively and particularly on the PK on a Stanley Cup winning team that was as good preventing goals as it was scoring them.

Not to mention a #10 pick overall should not be expected to be "better" than a # 4 overall.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by transplant99

I think a little context would help.

Beyond being a much better offensive player than Bennett his entire career, he also contributed greatly defensively and particularly on the PK on a Stanley Cup winning team that was as good preventing goals as it was scoring them.

Not to mention a #10 pick overall should not be expected to be "better" than a # 4 overall.

I also have a bit of a loose tiered system for expectations.

Top five: star player
5-15: first liner/top six D
15-30: Makes your team within a couple years in a middle six role.
2nd round: makes your team.

The rest is gravy.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by Psytic

Took a look. didnt change my mind. Connolly's is better.

18-23 Connolly is much worse

[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by transplant99

I think a little context would help.



Beyond being a much better offensive player than Bennett his entire career, he also contributed greatly defensively and particularly on the PK on a Stanley Cup winning team that was as good preventing goals as it was scoring them.



Not to mention a #10 pick overall should not be expected to be "better" than a # 4 overall.

I wasn’t comparing the two players.

I was just saying that Frolik is a bust by the definition posted.

And in my mind Frolik could never be considered a bust.


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[GioforPM]

The context of the draft year matters too. Aside from surprises like Marchand, there’s not too many players behind Frolik that go ahead in a redraft. And at least 2 ahead that were real busts. It was a fairly mediocre draft year IMO.

[Sylvanfan]

At this point I don't see Bennett with the Flames after this contract is done. That pick not working out is really hurting the team right now. Never would have thought his offensive game would be this bad after his rookie season.

[Bingo]

I've given up on Bennett improving. I think there are parts of his game that are good, parts that are weak, and then parts that are head scratching (penalties he takes, both deserved and not, as well his inability to finish).

But he isn't the problem, so I don't get the topic being forefront.

This year he's ...

8th amongst forwards for Points/60 ahead of Frolik and Backlund
5th in shots/60
4th in individual xG/60
4th in scoring chances/60
7th in high danger chances/60

Defensively he's struggled, as he's only behind Quine and Ryan for shot attempts against per 60, but he is 7th in xGF%.

So yeah Bennett is a disappointment but he's far from the focus for me right now.

If you look at Calgary's 12 most played forwards the only guys under 50% in xGF% are Monahan (46%), Frolik (47%), Gaudreau (47%) and Lindholm (47%).

Bennett is playing like the last few seasons. Good on chance generation, and bad from finishing. He's a third liner, not worse.

[Ped]

Originally Posted by Bingo

But he isn't the problem, so I don't get the topic being forefront.

Because there's still people that think that breakthrough is coming, that all he needs is some top-6 time and he will blossom.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Ped

Because there's still people that think that breakthrough is coming, that all he needs is some top-6 time and he will blossom.

I'm not in that camp, but they do have more supporting a top six role than the camp that think he's replacement level or on his way out of the league altogether.

Metrics suggest a guy that gets chances at a top six level.