Sam Bennett article on NHL.com

[Hemi-Cuda]

https://www.nhl.com/news/calgary-for...?tid=277548856

EDMONTON -- Sam Bennett's journey to become an effective, hard-to-play-against forward for the Calgary Flames this season had its speed bumps and detours.

It even had a spell where the No. 4 pick of the 2014 NHL Draft sensed he was off course.

"Before, I think I was kind of lost on where I fit in here," Bennett said, who's in his fourth NHL season. "And I didn't know if I'd be a centerman or a winger. So, I've kind of found comfort on the wing. The combination of that and the more years I play, the more comfortable I'm going to feel."

I can't wait to see how Bennett does this year in the playoffs, with his surging confidence in his new role I think he's exactly the type of player that wins you games in the post season

[dissentowner]

Remember over the last few years when people wanted to run him out of town and I said if that happens the Flames will seriously regret it? This is why. You could see he has the tools to be a beast, just needed some patience with him.

[Canada 02]

you need Maltby and Draper as much as you need Federov, Hull and Lidstrom

[canflip_101]

Benzo made it to the big time!

[DeluxeMoustache]

Great to hear Backlund’s perspective, on both development and on Bennettt as a teammate.

[devo22]

Originally Posted by canflip_101

Benzo

still no.

[Gaudfather]

This quote says a lot as well about the Flames culture - this is what a winning group needs.

Our team's really comfortable right now," Bennett said. "I think what makes us so dominant is that we have all lines that can contribute and everyone's on the same page. And this is the closest group that I've ever played with. Our team is so close and it's fun coming to the rink every day."

[DazzlinDino]

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

https://www.nhl.com/news/calgary-for...?tid=277548856

I can't wait to see how Bennett does this year in the playoffs, with his surging confidence in his new role I think he's exactly the type of player that wins you games in the post season

Pretty sure this team would not be the same right now without Sam Bennett. He pretty much brings his team-mates together and creates another level of confidence with his toughness.

[Phagoof]

Originally Posted by canflip_101

Benzo made it to the big time!

benzodiazepine?

[crapshoot]

Originally Posted by canflip_101

Benzo made it to the big time!

Yeah, still not a thing.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by canflip_101

Benzo made it to the big time!

That's a no, dawg.

[TheScorpion]

Who calls him Benzo?

Clearly, Bennezuela is the only correct option.

[bubbsy]

With the NHL becoming such a high skill, high speed game, the hard hitting, rough nosed players are growing extinct.

Finding players who can play, can skate, yet engage in a highly physical game is such a rarity. Bennett is becoming that perfect blend of these elements. The points are starting to come.

He's become a very important element of this team!

[oldschoolcalgary]

A guy like Bennett is exactly what Calgary needs; a bit of sandpaper on a team that has great scorers already... Consistency is my main issue with Bennett.

although he's not a center now, the idea of him being like a Mike Peca type of player is what i hope for... a 20/20 guy with his intangibles can be a major factor for the Flames especially in the playoffs.

i wonder if playing him at center too early in his career has affected his development curve.

[Vinny01]

Hoping Treliving can get something done in the 4-6 year range with Bennett this summer. I still think he has potential to have a Lindholm type breakout in the next couple of years. He likely won’t be the offensive superstar we hoped for when we drafted him but he definitely fits an important role which I think will be amplified in the playoffs.

[Lanny'sDaMan]

His Official™ Nickname is CLEARLY Benny McDonald.


Gawd....

[Zoller]

I hope Sam Bennett never plays Center again

and that's a good thing

[Hugh Jahrmes]

Samuel L. Bennson?

[Classic_Sniper]

Bennett’s game doesn’t translate into center at all. His puck protecting and puck distributing ability isn’t a strength of his. He’s a bruiser who plays a north-south game, can get in on the forecheck and drive to the net. That’s his game and it always made more sense for him to play wing.

I know the organization drafted him as a center and wanted that great 1-2 punch down the middle. But it was like watching someone hammer a square peg into a round hole. Thank goodness he was finally moved to the wing permanently. He brings a lot more to the table along the boards than he ever did up the middle.

[FlamesAddiction]

They should have moved him to the wing a lot sooner. He always seemed to play more of a wingers style.

The team does seem to be having a lot of fun. The purple stuff, the Rittich quirks and the joking around with him and Tkachuk, Bennett's Lanny stache...