The 17-7-6 Calgary Flames are in Florida today to play the 21-7-4 Panthers in what should be a high offence affair. Unfortunately for all parties involved, the black swan of the 2015-2020 Calgary Flames will not be in the lineup.
That, of course, would be Sam Bennett. The 25 year old from Holland Landing, Ontario is serving game one of a three game suspension today for a hit to the head of Canadiens forward Cedric Paquette. In his most Sam Bennett style, he scored two goals in the same game he was suspended.
The 4th overall pick in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft just couldn’t seem to find his game in Calgary. In 402 regular season games he notched 55 goals and 73 assists for a total of 128 points. His impact was drastically more noticeable in the playoffs where he scored 19 points in 30 games and delivered a an onslaught of crushing physical play.
He couldn’t play his way up the lineup from the fourth line like players such as Andrew Mangiapane or Dillon Dube managed to. When given a run on the top line with Gaudreau and Monahan— he had almost no offensive impact over 18 games.
He just didn’t seem to fit in Calgary.
Fans became divided regarding his place on the team. Some insisted he was capable of more, but the majority thought he was nowhere near good enough to play a top six role on even a bottom feeder.
Do you remember what your stance was on Sam Bennett?
Suffice it to say he put some critics to bed after getting to Florida by notching 15 points in 10 regular season games, then another five points in five playoffs games in his first partial season with the Panthers. This season he heads closer to the median with 17 points in 26 games, but has a +/- of 12. He has, in fact, brought a more accountable game to go with playing on a much better line— centering Anthony Duclair and Jonathan Huberdeau.
Much like the game against the Kings missing Brendan Lemieux, today’s game will be deprived of a storyline. That being the “new look… Sam Bennett facing off against the team that couldn’t find a place for him.
No expected changes to the lineup today.
Gaudreau-Lindholm-Tkachuk Lucic-Dube-Mangiapane Coleman-Backlund-Pitlick Richardson-Monahan-Lewis
Hanifin-Andersson Kylington-Tanev Zadorov-Gudbranson
Markstrom
Hot meets hotter While Johnny Gaudreau’s six points in his last two games is impressive, Jonathan Huberdeau can top that with eight points in his last two. Given both the offensive and defensive prowess of both teams involved, today’s game might best the Toronto and Carolina matchups for highest quality game of the year.
Bad man According to today’s lines listed on dailyfaceoff.com, this game will feature the return of another Flames castaway— Ryan Lomberg. If you aren’t a little worried about this then prepare to be surprised. Lomberg has painted himself an NHL spot on the Panthers with the blood of the opposition. The 5’9… left wing from Richmond Hill, Ontario is coming off a 14 PIM performance against arch rival Tampa Bay Lightning and had the game against the Habs off to rest.
The Flames messed up big time letting Lomberg go. He’s even developing his offensive game. He has three points in his last five games and six points in 20 this season. More importantly, he’s frequenting highlight reels delivering thunderous bodychecks and generally playing an agitator role. Ryan Lomberg is as close to Ville Neimenen as the league has right now and all the Flames had to do was offer him league minimum on a one-way contract to stay.
Watching the Oilers How do you feel about watching the Oilers in a free fall right now? Just taking in yesterday’s 4-1 loss to the Rangers, it looks like McDavid is exhausted. The whole team looks like they’re missing a lung. Head Coach Dave Tippett looks beyond frustrated with the on-ice product.
They put their eggs into the basket of running Mike Smith as their starter. To the surprise of no one except Ken Holland, Smith is struggling to stay healthy at the age of 39 playing the same athletic style he is known for.
Zach Kassian inspired hope among Oilers faithful to start the year with five points in his first four games. He followed that up with seven in his last 21. He hit his head hard on the ice in a preseason fight against Zac MacEwen and now answers the bell like this.
The rest of the lineup seems to just try to keep their head above water until McDavid or Draisaitl scores. This method has clearly started to show cracks in the foundation. Playing two forwards 25 minutes a night for the last four years is taking it’s toll in regards to fatigue.
Given that several Oilers (or former Oilers still on their payroll) have spoken out saying they were happy to help eliminate the Flames last year. Given that Zach Kassian flew into a rage and jumped the Flames’ leading scorer at the time from behind and then the fanbase followed that up by losing all sense of reason— claiming en masse that Tkachuk didn’t “answer the bell… because he was afraid and not just horse-collared from behind — it’s hard to sympathize for the organization or their fanbase.
It is fun to discuss solutions though. Would you fire Tippett? Which Coach would you bring in to replace him? Would you trade for a goalie or defenseman? Surely giving up a first is worth considering if it can help the team ice a more balanced lineup. Would you just let it ride? There’s sense to just letting the roster get healthy and try to get back to their early season form.
For Flames fans— maybe it’s just best to crack a cold one and watch the circus.
Trevor Neufeld