Todd Cordell: Calgary Flames finally move on from Sam Bennett

Between the trade request, his cap hit, the way the market was going and a somewhat underwhelming season even for him the most I was expecting was a 3rd with a condition to become a 2nd based on the acquiring teams post-season success. I think it also sends a message that a culture change is coming regardless of who’s here or not next season.

Florida is also a really good fit for him as I don’t believe they have a decent 3C option behind wennberg.

Also worth noting is that FLA has a good chance at 1st in the East. That a tough thing to repeat next year in a longer season with return to normal divisional play. This year the pick is trending towards a late round pick. It could be better or worse next year, but more likely better.

Between the trade request, his cap hit, the way the market was going and a somewhat underwhelming season even for him the most I was expecting was a 3rd with a condition to become a 2nd based on the acquiring teams post-season success. I think it also sends a message that a culture change is coming regardless of who’s here or not next season.
- RedC21

It is mixed feelings in that I am really disappointed Sam didnt work out. Sutter probably could have brought the best out of him but it was too late already. One less player to protect & futures to hope for I guess.

Big question is why didnt D Ryan get traded? Was Tre unwilling to eat any more salary to get his contract to fit. Surely the Oilers would have given us that 2021 4th & maybe a 2022 3rd if we ate half like we did for Rittch. They sure could have used him. Not that I would want to help the Oilers but there had to have been a market for him out there.

Sad to see Bennett go but give Treliving credit he got more for him than most would have thought.
The main focus should still be fixing the dressing room first. Whoever is being the duck in there should be sent packing, no matter who it is.
Good to see Ruzika finally get an opportunity, guys got decent size and has shown he can score.
Would still like to see Phillips given a chance on that RW rthat we’ve been searching for. Guy has elevated his game at every level he’s played at. He’s small but plays a big game, another hometown boy to boot.

It is mixed feelings in that I am really disappointed Sam didnt work out. Sutter probably could have brought the best out of him but it was too late already. One less player to protect & futures to hope for I guess.

Big question is why didnt D Ryan get traded? Was Tre unwilling to eat any more salary to get his contract to fit. Surely the Oilers would have given us that 2021 4th & maybe a 2022 3rd if we ate half like we did for Rittch. They sure could have used him. Not that I would want to help the Oilers but there had to have been a market for him out there.
- Kevin R

Agree in Bennett and Sutter. Both just came out and said how happy they were with the current situation. So the trade did catch me somewhat off guard.
Hope he does really well in Florida and becomes the player we’d hoped for.

Sam Bennett and Curtis Lazar.

Simularites
Both were high draft picks. Both dominated Jr. Both were brought into the league too early.

Differences
Lazar would do anything for his team, was willing to go play in the minors to work on his game, and after a lot of hard work has become a decent bottom 6 guy.

Bennett was unhappy playing bottom 6, had every opportunity to play with talent but never produced, and demanded a trade rather than tried to play as a consistent player.

I think we gave up a second for Lazar. Honestly still wish the guy was on the team.

Agree in Bennett and Sutter. Both just came out and said how happy they were with the current situation. So the trade did catch me somewhat off guard.
Hope he does really well in Florida and becomes the player we’d hoped for.
- K-man25

Here was the problem! Bennett had significantly less trade value after the TDL. Getting Bennett signed would have been a workout, at most wewould have had to qualify him for his last year at a salary that Treliving didnt want to pay. Also, Tre would have had to decide to protect Bennett over Dube or Mangi. Chances are Benny would have been exposed & probably gone for nothing. Even if Sutter liked him or not, Bennett would not have of signed a 3-4 year deal at a much better price to stay in Calgary. The time to get best return was now. Sorry to say.

Here was the problem! Bennett had significantly less trade value after the TDL. Getting Bennett signed would have been a workout, at most wewould have had to qualify him for his last year at a salary that Treliving didnt want to pay. Also, Tre would have had to decide to protect Bennett over Dube or Mangi. Chances are Benny would have been exposed & probably gone for nothing. Even if Sutter liked him or not, Bennett would not have of signed a 3-4 year deal at a much better price to stay in Calgary. The time to get best return was now. Sorry to say.
- Kevin R

Correct. At some point you have to cut your losses. I think Tre did great.

I remember that game years ago Bennett scored I think it was four goals against the Panthers and one goal was a beauty, I thought that would be his turning corner.

Good deal for Benny and the Flames - he's going to likely see similar minutes on a deep FLA team, so I don't think his situation improved dramatically, but he'll get another playoffs in to boost his value potentially.

Like the player, like the pick and this is pure asset management - yes, still maintain he should have been dealt years ago, but to get 2 2nd rounders for a 3rd/4th line guy is great value. Laughing my ass off that Toronto paid a 1st+ for Foligno and that Boston gave up less for Hall, but sometimes you've gotta pull the trigger to get an asset back rather than let the guy just walk.

Hope he scores 30 - doubt he ever will. Hope he wins a Cup somewhere, think there's a good chance of that.

Would love to see the Flames convert some assets to improve the top 6 some more this offseason - ideal is obviously to target Eichel, but I really don't think that's highly likely, and if so, enormously expensive. If we do land a top 5, would 100% be trying to lever that as part of a large package in a deal with Buffalo for him

I remember that game years ago Bennett scored I think it was four goals against the Panthers and one goal was a beauty, I thought that would be his turning corner.
- FlamesFan1230

I remember that too. There was also a game Janko got a bunch of points.

Anyways, Looch is almost at a Gordie Howe hattrick (fight and an assist in the first ten minutes) on his big night.

I remember that too. There was also a game Janko got a bunch of points.

Anyways, Looch is almost at a Gordie Howe hattrick (fight and an assist in the first ten minutes) on his big night.
- DuranDuran

Looch has impressed me this season

Looch has impressed me this season
- hockey4hockey

Definitely looks a lot happier playing hockey.

Looch has impressed me this season
- hockey4hockey

He's been a lot better for sure - I get the sense that he's got a pretty defined leadership role in the room, looks healthier as well - hitting more, fighting more. Still has hands like feet for the most part, but is way more engaged this year than last.

I wonder what the impact of the trade had on him last year. Mostly in terms of A - being traded period, but B - the impact of the draft pick for production. That was a really weird clause to have in there and must have seemed like the Flames were banking on him being the less productive player. That had to have some impact.

It's also really weird to me, it seems like he's put out there against top lines frequently, and not just when we are the away team. Noticed it against the Oilers, that he seems to be on the ice a lot against McDavid's line. A role I never thought I'd see him play here given the typical lack of foot speed.

Eichel just got cheaper...

https://www.sportsnet.ca/...ergo-surgery-rest-season/

Looch has impressed me this season
- hockey4hockey

He almost split the D on that one play in the second... that close from another Gordie Howe... What I've noticed is his play making ability lately. The start of this season he was THE turnover guy. Now he's making plays and finding guys open...

Is it just me or did Tkachuk seem to be a bit more of himself last night? Like he got the green light to be a Richard again. Loved it when he snowed Ritter... and Ritter's response.

He almost split the D on that one play in the second... that close from another Gordie Howe... What I've noticed is his play making ability lately. The start of this season he was THE turnover guy. Now he's making plays and finding guys open...

Is it just me or did Tkachuk seem to be a bit more of himself last night? Like he got the green light to be a Richard again. Loved it when he snowed Ritter... and Ritter's response.


- geta02it

He needs to play like that or he’s pretty much invisible. You can see it in his first shift as to weather or not he’s going to be engaged.
One of many who has struggled this year.

Just to prove Sutter does read Todd’s comment section on here. I’ve been saying for a month now to play 19,28,13 together to see if we can put together a true #1 line. Well Daryle, you’re welcome.
Now play the kids!

Just to prove Sutter does read Todd’s comment section on here. I’ve been saying for a month now to play 19,28,13 together to see if we can put together a true #1 line. Well Daryle, you’re welcome.
Now play the kids!
- K-man25

I'd also like to say hi to Kelly Hrudey, one of the first times I complained about Bennett's intentional lack of effort, he made sure to talk a lot about Mangiapane's work ethic during the next game..same thing goes for Eric Francis, I was literally the one who brought up Lucic's after hours interview where he mentioned in passing, that he was considering retirement - then late last season, Eric Francis put the question to Lucic and made a report on it..

I'm excited that Bennett's gone, it was never going to work out with him and a lot of Flames fans couldn't admit it, and sold themselves on the narrative that "he just needs more time" or that "he just needs to break out".

Sam Bennett was a disgruntled player - whether that's justifiable or not - there's no question he intentionally didn't work hard during the regular season, of his last few years in Calgary.

He should have demanded a trade as soon as he figured out he wasn't going to try hard during the season.

I'm excited that Bennett's gone, it was never going to work out with him and a lot of Flames fans couldn't admit it, and sold themselves on the narrative that "he just needs more time" or that "he just needs to break out".

Sam Bennett was a disgruntled player - whether that's justifiable or not - there's no question he intentionally didn't work hard during the regular season, of his last few years in Calgary.

He should have demanded a trade as soon as he figured out he wasn't going to try hard during the season.
- eastcanadAREaholes

Meh, I said years ago he should have been moved in an effort to get Hoffman. Stand by it today

Meh, I said years ago he should have been moved in an effort to get Hoffman. Stand by it today
- rmull905

Well he took no penalty tonight, so there’s that to cheer about.

Well he took no penalty tonight, so there’s that to cheer about.
- K-man25

Big win?