6 X 5 is too much from the Flames' side. Bennett isn't playing up to his potential yet and 5 million a year is too much to pay when you're hoping someone gets better. It also doesn't align with a single other contract Treliving has given out so far. The highest I'd see him going would be 4. With the stupid amounts of money GMs have been throwing at players for one great season, it doesn't make a lot of sense from Bennett's side either.

Bennett's biggest problem so far has been mental. I think he knows this so he's probably not super keen on a one year contract since there's an enormous amount of pressure to get paid.

I see them settling on 4 million over 2 years right before camp starts. If Bennett is adamant on a one year contract, I can't see him getting much more than a million.
- Hunkulese

Yeah & I don't see Tre doing a 1 year deal, he needs to put some time between some of these whacko contracts. I can see a 2 or even 3 year deal at 4.0 mll per. We need to put Tkachuk with Benny this year. We can still have the 3M line with Janko taking TKachuks place.

Yeah & I don't see Tre doing a 1 year deal, he needs to put some time between some of these whacko contracts. I can see a 2 or even 3 year deal at 4.0 mll per. We need to put Tkachuk with Benny this year. We can still have the 3M line with Janko taking TKachuks place.
- Kevin R

Yeah I could see a 3 year deal at 4m. Makes sense for both parties. Bennett can put the contract negotiations to rest for a couple years and get a big payday after.

Yeah I could see a 3 year deal at 4m. Makes sense for both parties. Bennett can put the contract negotiations to rest for a couple years and get a big payday after.


- DuranDuran

Yup but I think this is going to go right to the nth hour & they compromise with a 2 year deal. The looming lockout has to be a factor in these negotiations as well.

Yup but I think this is going to go right to the nth hour & they compromise with a 2 year deal. The looming lockout has to be a factor in these negotiations as well.
- Kevin R

God damn. For Sam's sake I hope they figure something out before training camp. Dude needs to come in ready and focused.

Yeah I could see a 3 year deal at 4m. Makes sense for both parties. Bennett can put the contract negotiations to rest for a couple years and get a big payday after.


- DuranDuran

I don't know, $4million per sounds like a lot for a guy who hasn't done much yet. I'd rather a show me contract like they did with Backlund's 2nd contract. That was 1.27 so in today's money around $2 million ? Speaking of Backlund, he's currently on a $3.5 contract and he was far better than Benny when he signed that. I'd say max on Bennett is $2.5 on a short term show me.

I don't know, $4million per sounds like a lot for a guy who hasn't done much yet. I'd rather a show me contract like they did with Backlund's 2nd contract. That was 1.27 so in today's money around $2 million ? Speaking of Backlund, he's currently on a $3.5 contract and he was far better than Benny when he signed that. I'd say max on Bennett is $2.5 on a short term show me.
- tincup

No he wasn't, analytics were finally kicking in & showing his defensive value. Last year was Backs best year offensively to date.

No he wasn't, analytics were finally kicking in & showing his defensive value. Last year was Backs best year offensively to date.
- Kevin R

Backlund only signed that contract 2 years ago. That was the year Bouma got 16 goals playing with Backlund. Not a knock on Bennett but Backlund was a very good player two years ago.

4 million a year is way too much for Bennett unless it's at least a six year contract.

4 million a year is way too much for Bennett unless it's at least a six year contract.
- Hunkulese

Agreed. I think we see a 2 years @ 2.5-3 per.

Agreed. I think we see a 2 years @ 2.5-3 per.
- dr_soiledpants

And I hope it is 2 yrs. Everyone wants Benny to develop into a 1/2 line centre and keeping his contract short is added incentive to get to the next level.

It doesn't be nice if Bennett signed a coyle'esque type contract- 3.2mil per x 5 years.

$3 million is fhe absolute max I'd go for Bennett. As muxmch as I love the kid and think he hass a ton of potential, he hasn't done much yet. I think a 3x3 show me would be ideal.

$3 million is fhe absolute max I'd go for Bennett. As muxmch as I love the kid and think he hass a ton of potential, he hasn't done much yet. I think a 3x3 show me would be ideal.
- Helios

My only reply to that is for the love of Mike give the fcking poor bastard some good line mates. 3M line may have been awesome last year, but that isn't our future. Put Tkachuk(who turns 20 in December) with Bennett(who just turned 21) together with a decent RW. That's our future. Frolik is 29 with 3 years left on contract. Is he even a top 6 forward? Will he even be resigned at that point? Backlund will be 29 when his deal expires next year & he becomes a UFA. There is a chance he won't resign here. Put Janko on that line next year & let those guys break him in like they did with Tkachuk.

My only reply to that is for the love of Mike give the fcking poor bastard some good line mates. 3M line may have been awesome last year, but that isn't our future. Put Tkachuk(who turns 20 in December) with Bennett(who just turned 21) together with a decent RW. That's our future. Frolik is 29 with 3 years left on contract. Is he even a top 6 forward? Will he even be resigned at that point? Backlund will be 29 when his deal expires next year & he becomes a UFA. There is a chance he won't resign here. Put Janko on that line next year & let those guys break him in like they did with Tkachuk.
- Kevin R

Unless Bennett gets into the top 6, he's probably going to have to play with lesser players. Of course if he moves to wing he might have a better chance. Would love to see Tkachuk on the top line, then move Bennett up to play with Backlund. Backlund's greatest strength is he makes other players better. Gauranteed Bennett's production goes up being on the ice with Backlund and Frolik...who's def a top 6 winger on Flames anyway.

Unless Bennett gets into the top 6, he's probably going to have to play with lesser players. Of course if he moves to wing he might have a better chance. Would love to see Tkachuk on the top line, then move Bennett up to play with Backlund. Backlund's greatest strength is he makes other players better. Gauranteed Bennett's production goes up being on the ice with Backlund and Frolik...who's def a top 6 winger on Flames anyway.
- tincup

I think it would be a big mistake moving Bennett to wing at this stage. I know everyone is high on Backlund & look at Brouwer & everyone whines about a early 30's player being geriatric in this league. Backlund will be 29 & will probably age better than most early 30's player, but Backlunds prime is on the back end now. Bennett was drafted as a centre & is the franchises highest pick ever & you want to bail on him at 21 years of age as potentially one of our top 2 centres. Personally I see Janko as our primer #3 shutdown centre, heir to Backlund. You have to give Benny a chance, with decent wingers. Benny had a better rookie year than Monahan. Monahan was able to play with Gaudreau the next year, lets try to give Bennett the same type of chance & I believe Tkachuk is the way to go this year.

Calgary gives out a secondary assist on close to 80 per cent of goals. League average is about 71-72 per cent. Huh.

— Travis Yost (@travisyost) August 17, 2017

Discuss

Calgary gives out a secondary assist on close to 80 per cent of goals. League average is about 71-72 per cent. Huh.

— Travis Yost (@travisyost) August 17, 2017

Discuss
- DDM-Coga

Discuss what? That we move the puck well? Probably a lot from our mobile puck moving D

Discuss what? That we move the puck well? Probably a lot from our mobile puck moving D
- TandA4Flames

His point was that Flames get more phantom assists at home
See the refs don't hate you bc of Wideman

Everyone gets a point, but not you Wideman, you get poop and a bullpoop penalty

I think it would be a big mistake moving Bennett to wing at this stage. I know everyone is high on Backlund & look at Brouwer & everyone whines about a early 30's player being geriatric in this league. Backlund will be 29 & will probably age better than most early 30's player, but Backlunds prime is on the back end now. Bennett was drafted as a centre & is the franchises highest pick ever & you want to bail on him at 21 years of age as potentially one of our top 2 centres. Personally I see Janko as our primer #3 shutdown centre, heir to Backlund. You have to give Benny a chance, with decent wingers. Benny had a better rookie year than Monahan. Monahan was able to play with Gaudreau the next year, lets try to give Bennett the same type of chance & I believe Tkachuk is the way to go this year.
- Kevin R

So what do you do with Backlund, let him walk ? IMO depends on what he wants in his next contract. If his contract demands are reasonable, IMO they have to resign him. It's a tough spot for Bennett as there are two centres ahead of him and Janko might even challenge him for the 3rd C position.

His point was that Flames get more phantom assists at home
See the refs don't hate you bc of Wideman

Everyone gets a point, but not you Wideman, you get poop and a bullpoop penalty
- DDM-Coga

Seriously...... does fcking Yost watch every Flame game & every Flames goal & review each one to make this statement. I think someone should just offer sheet Zadarov to keep you out of reading tripe that Yost is spewing here. $6.0 mill should do it, Sakic's credit card limit is only $5,999,999.99 for resigning players & he really is limited to how many of those he is allowed to sign for that much.

So what do you do with Backlund, let him walk ? IMO depends on what he wants in his next contract. If his contract demands are reasonable, IMO they have to resign him. It's a tough spot for Bennett as there are two centres ahead of him and Janko might even challenge him for the 3rd C position.
- tincup

Well, lets look at it this way.... Bennett hasn't come anywhere close to his ceiling & oozes potential & Backlund I would dare to think is pretty well close to his peak. Who would you reup longterm & build your team around. For me, I have made a lot of money selling high & buying low. But that may not be too popular on a Flame thread. But yes I would trade Backlund. The problem is, if we don't extend now & we look like we are going to the playoffs by the TDL, you can't trade him at that point & then run a huge risk of him walking for nothing. Tough call.

Seriously...... does fcking Yost watch every Flame game & every Flames goal & review each one to make this statement. I think someone should just offer sheet Zadarov to keep you out of reading tripe that Yost is spewing here. $6.0 mill should do it, Sakic's credit card limit is only $5,999,999.99 for resigning players & he really is limited to how many of those he is allowed to sign for that much.
- Kevin R

well MacKinnon makes more than 6m and Zads already has accept a 2 year deal so Avs RULE

I hate Yost too, hes such a try hard but sometimes he tweets interesting things. I would have never thought to look into what rink gives out more secondary assists.

Its august and we all want hockey back so its just any storyline will do

I really don't want to lose Backlund. He's become one of the best two way forwards in the game and Calgary needs that in their line up. That said, we'll see what kind of money he wants. If it's a lot, we kinda have no choice but to let him walk. If it's reasonable or he's willing to take a discount to stay (which he might be), then I think we have ro resign him.

All that said, if Backlund wants to hit free agency next year, then that's his right. It would be a shame to have groomed him for so long only to have him walk for nothing, but that's the way it goes sometimes.

My point is, if what Backlund wants is reasonable, then we need ro do everything in our power to resign him.

I really don't want to lose Backlund. He's become one of the best two way forwards in the game and Calgary needs that in their line up. That said, we'll see what kind of money he wants. If it's a lot, we kinda have no choice but to let him walk. If it's reasonable or he's willing to take a discount to stay (which he might be), then I think we have ro resign him.

All that said, if Backlund wants to hit free agency next year, then that's his right. It would be a shame to have groomed him for so long only to have him walk for nothing, but that's the way it goes sometimes.

My point is, if what Backlund wants is reasonable, then we need ro do everything in our power to resign him.
- Helios

Agreed. He finished 4th in Selke voting last year and he seems to be getting better. Interesting, the 3 players who finished ahead of him are all early 30s so I think there's plenty left in the tank. He's such a smart player which is a good indication of longevity. Would love to see BT work his magic and get him under contract for 5 more years.

I really don't want to lose Backlund. He's become one of the best two way forwards in the game and Calgary needs that in their line up. That said, we'll see what kind of money he wants. If it's a lot, we kinda have no choice but to let him walk. If it's reasonable or he's willing to take a discount to stay (which he might be), then I think we have ro resign him.

All that said, if Backlund wants to hit free agency next year, then that's his right. It would be a shame to have groomed him for so long only to have him walk for nothing, but that's the way it goes sometimes.

My point is, if what Backlund wants is reasonable, then we need ro do everything in our power to resign him.
- Helios

I would say we see how our guys are developing. If things look positive than we open up the possibilities to trading Backs.

I agree with kevin R that, if Janko is NHL ready, he could play with Backs. Put tkachuk with Bennett and see what they can do. That way Bennett gets a better player to play with and Janko can learn the 2 way game from one of the best in the game.

I am not saying break up the 3M line, just saying try some things out pre and early season to see if other things can jive.