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

[DeluxeMoustache]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

I don't mind Hathaway as 13th forward type. He brings some energy, is actually a really effective penalty killer, and doesn't really hurt you that much.

Not a guy that should be counted on in the top 9 but effective enough to keep as an energy 4th liner and PK specialist.

Agree with him as a 13th. I think with his ceiling and style of play he may best be slotted as a 13th guy that gets in 20 or 30 games, is grateful for the games and minutes he gets, and plays his butt off. Or maybe simply limiting him to 4th line minutes instead of the 3rd line mins he got from Gully will be enough to keep him hungry.

[SeanCharles]

Originally Posted by Robbob

I also like him as the 13th forward. He plays a hard game so giving him spot duty could make him more consistent. He seems to have a good run and then his play starts to fall.

I think this is the year Dube gets a shot or forces himself onto the roster. I can see him as the eventual Frolik replacement.

I agree. I think to continue moving forward players like Frolik, Stone and Brodie need to be replaced by Dube, Andersson and Valamaki/Kylington within the next couple seasons. We need cheaper depth so we can pay Tkachuk and hopefully add another high end forward.

[Snuffleupagus]

Originally Posted by wired

I think Bennett will be fine. A few players will be better next season.

By the time the season starts Sam will be able to celebrate a win in a US city with his teammates over a beer or two. Let that sink in.

Yes, he will be fine. I just hope it's here.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by Corral

Lets be honest. Lazar isn't even on the 4th line for a team with Cup aspirations. The guy has no hands. Ottawa was jumping for joy when we handed them a 2nd rounder for him.

OK, let's be honest. If we're looking for a fair assessment of a player in a Flames uniform, we won't expect to get it from one of the most relentlessly negative posters on CP.

Any one player on the fourth line is not going to make or break any team's status as a contender. Chicago won two Stanley Cups with Marcus Kruger in the regular lineup, and his career numbers aren't much different from Lazar's. Frankly, I think you're just looking for things to complain about, as usual.

[pepper24]

Lazar is fine on the 4th line. Issue is we gave away a 2nd round pick for him when we have AHL players or Shore to step in. He hasn't shown anything beyond 4th line minutes.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by pepper24

Lazar is fine on the 4th line. Issue is we gave away a 2nd round pick for him when we have AHL players or Shore to step in. He hasn't shown anything beyond 4th line minutes.

We didn't have Shore then (or Foo for that matter). Plus, IMO Lazar is better than any of the AHL guys you might look at for that role. I don't disagree that more was expected of Lazar, but IMO I think he has some upward mobility. I think he has third line potential. He certainly has the wheels, grit and motivation. He's been tremendously unlucky around the net.

[pepper24]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

We didn't have Shore then (or Foo for that matter). Plus, IMO Lazar is better than any of the AHL guys you might look at for that role. I don't disagree that more was expected of Lazar, but IMO I think he has some upward mobility. I think he has third line potential. He certainly has the wheels, grit and motivation. He's been tremendously unlucky around the net.

The issue is he hasn't settled into a 3rd line role which is why the Flames gave up a 2nd round pick and seems destined for 4th line where we we have capable internal solutions. It's unfortunate and maybe he improves.

Wheels, grit, motivation and unlucky around the net sounds like the topic of this thread. Sam Bennett.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by pepper24

The issue is he hasn't settled into a 3rd line role which is why the Flames gave up a 2nd round pick and seems destined for 4th line where we we have capable internal solutions. It's unfortunate and maybe he improves.

Wheels, grit, motivation and unlucky around the net sounds like the topic of this thread. Sam Bennett.

Like I said, I don't think we had capable internal solutions at the time of the trade. And frankly, Lazar >= Hathaway IMO. Finally, given that he was an actual NHL player, a second isn't a huge price. Most seconds do not become NHLers.

[ComixZone]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Like I said, I don't think we had capable internal solutions at the time of the trade. And frankly, Lazar >= Hathaway IMO. Finally, given that he was an actual NHL player, a second isn't a huge price. Most seconds do not become NHLers.

Very much agreed.

A 2nd for a young 4th liner showing signs of improvement is still a solid value proposition.

I think Bennett, Jankowski and Lazar are key pieces in "fixing" our bottom 6. All young, hungry players who play with speed.

We simply need to stop playing guys like Brouwer, who bring absolutely nothing to line-up and only hurts the performance of those around him.

[VilleN]

I think there is a good chance Lazar will improve. He's still young, has had some hurdles in his development (mono)... He's a former WJC captain and first rounder, I still think there is hope for him to become a really good 4th or 3rd liner.

[pepper24]

Originally Posted by VilleN

I think there is a good chance Lazar will improve. He's still young, has had some hurdles in his development (mono)... He's a former WJC captain and first rounder, I still think there is hope for him to become a really good 4th or 3rd liner.

I dont think we will see much improvement. Like Bennett he is young and former first rounder. Flames took a chance with a 2nd round pick and not working out.

[VilleN]

Originally Posted by pepper24

I dont think we will see much improvement. Like Bennett he is young and former first rounder. Flames took a chance with a 2nd round pick and not working out.

He's young and a former first round pick... So why exactly don't you think he'll improve? I'm talking about him becoming a decent 3rd liner/ great 4th liner... he's definitely shown flashes of it, particularly at the end of the season.

[Scroopy Noopers]

Originally Posted by pepper24

I dont think we will see much improvement. Like Bennett he is young and former first rounder. Flames took a chance with a 2nd round pick and not working out.

Not working out? He’s an NHL regular.

[ComixZone]

Originally Posted by pepper24

I dont think we will see much improvement. Like Bennett he is young and former first rounder. Flames took a chance with a 2nd round pick and not working out.

Why don't you think you'll see improvement? We saw notable improvement throughout the season last year - and I see no reason why that won't continue given the player in question's work ethic and attitude.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Some people apparently find the idea that youngsters can improve year to year to be a baffling one.

Lazar and Bennett are both VERY likely to improve. Young players usually do. It’s called development. It’s normal. It’s usual.

Pepper24’s idea that they are unlikely to improve flies in the face of common sense and NHL history. To think Bennett can’t or won’t improve is definitely taking an actively pessimistic approach.

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by Scroopy Noopers

Not working out? He’s an NHL regular.

Was a healthy scratch on opening night.

Scratched Oct. 27

Scratched Nov. 22

Scratched Nov. 30

Scratched for another BOA December 2nd.

Scratched December 16

Scratched December 22

Scratched February 8

Does an NHL regular get scratched 10% of the season?

[VilleN]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

Was a healthy scratch on opening night.

Scratched Oct. 27

Scratched Nov. 22

Scratched Nov. 30

Scratched for another BOA December 2nd.

Scratched December 16

Scratched December 22

Scratched February 8

Does an NHL regular get scratched 10% of the season?

Yes.

[Scroopy Noopers]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

Was a healthy scratch on opening night.

Scratched Oct. 27

Scratched Nov. 22

Scratched Nov. 30

Scratched for another BOA December 2nd.

Scratched December 16

Scratched December 22

Scratched February 8

Does an NHL regular get scratched 10% of the season?

Yes... where does he play most frequently? The NHL.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by Scroopy Noopers

Not working out? He’s an NHL regular.

On a team with one of the worst forward groups in the league. Lazar needs to improve because right now, he is just about replacement level on almost any team IMO.

Everyone likes his speed and easy to still see some potential, but his name in the lineup is written in pencil. He needs to win a job in camp.

[ComixZone]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

Does an NHL regular get scratched 10% of the season?

When your head coach chooses to play Tanner Glass, Chris Stewart, and Troy Brouwer....then yes.

Gully's lineup decisions were bad.