TropicalFruitGirl26 Posted July 25, 2014 Share Posted July 25, 2014 From NHL.comhttp://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=727151 No financial terms, at least not on this article, but those should be forthcoming. Sean Monahan and Sam Bennett...two dynamic young players now on board with the Flames.Will Bennett see time with the big club this season, will he be given time at AHL Abbotsford first, or will he go back to his junior team ala TB Lightning and Jonathan Drouin? That will be an interesting situation.One would think, given what is most likely expected from the Flames this season (rebuild, non contender) that Bennett would not only see time with the big club, but PRIME minutes as well.However, from a developmental standpoint, would it hurt or hinder Bennett to be put in such a big role right away? Flames have done some other things this off season that seems to suggest they want to really get back to "Flames Hockey" (defensive, gritty, nasty to play against, and opportunistic scoring) sooner than later. They've brought in guys like Dave Engelland, Mason Raymond, and Jonas Hiller, to go along with guys they already had that the team will be counting on maintain the vet vibe amongst the young players.Guys like Matt Stajan, Curtis Glencross, Jiri Hudler, and Ladislav Smid. I still think the Flames will struggle this season in a tough Pacific division that will feature the loaded Ducks, defending Cup champs Kings, the always tough Sharks, and, at least on paper, improved Canucks and Oilers teams. However, having said that, Calgary may surprise given the players they brought in and could, throughout the season, be a major problem for teams and become the type of squad playoff hopefuls would really rather not play if they want to maintain their health status. Flames, on paper, look to be VERY physical. And if Sam Bennett does see time with the team AND does well, the Flames could be even MORE of a problem for other supposed "superior" teams. Jonas Hiller in goal is the single biggest upgrade the Flames made in the off season, and as we all know: if you have good goaltending, your team is always in the game.A good Hiller means the young forwards such as Bennett and Monahan can do their thing freely...not worrying too much about making mistakes that may go the other way. Good luck to Sam Bennett and the Flames.They will need everything they can muster going into 2014-15, but with certain things falling their way, the season may not really be as bad as some are predicting.IMO, the Flames certainly are better 'armed' for this season than they were last season.And a projected top level player like Sam Bennett only helps that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jammer2 Posted July 26, 2014 Share Posted July 26, 2014 @TropicalFruitGirl26 I'm no Sam Bennet expert or anything like that, but from what I have read, he has tremendous balance and is an elite skater, as long as he can handle the physically going, he should stick. I don't think he gets pushed off the puck to easily, because of his aforementioned tremendous balance....so I say he sticks and the Flames fans are treated to the best center combo since they won the cup wwwaaaayyy back in 91. Will be super exciting to see the futuree on display, Bennett and Monahan together as the 1/2 combo, as it will be for the next decade. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hf101 Posted July 28, 2014 Share Posted July 28, 2014 I think he will play with the Flames this year as well. Of the additions mentioned to the team above, I don't think they added anyone by free agency to replace Cammalleri's points. So the Flames are going to be looking towards it's youth to play large roles this year. Bennett and Gaudreau probably could use another year in juniors but I think we will see both with the Flames this season. The Flames surprised some teams last year with their strong work ethic so although they may find themselves at the bottom of the Pacific division I think they will surprise some teams with their sound defense and speed upfront. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jammer2 Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 @hf101 The Flames are still leading contenders for Kevin Hayes, should he go UFA after Aug 15th. From the Hockey News....the 3 leading contenders... 1)Calgary...BC linemates Johnny Gaudreau AND Bill Arnold are Flames picks.2)Florida...Kevin's older brother Jimmy is a Panther3)Boston...Haye's is a Boston native. Should they land Kevin, it would be a nice coup for a team looking to build through their youth and picks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TropicalFruitGirl26 Posted July 31, 2014 Author Share Posted July 31, 2014 @TropicalFruitGirl26 I'm no Sam Bennet expert or anything like that, but from what I have read, he has tremendous balance and is an elite skater, as long as he can handle the physically going, he should stick. I don't think he gets pushed off the puck to easily, because of his aforementioned tremendous balance....so I say he sticks and the Flames fans are treated to the best center combo since they won the cup wwwaaaayyy back in 91. Will be super exciting to see the futuree on display, Bennett and Monahan together as the 1/2 combo, as it will be for the next decade. And the beauty, at least for the Flames, of having guys like Monahan and Bennett develop quickly for the Flames is that, unlike their Alberta rival Oilers, Calgary, as an organization GET the defensive side of the game.You take the Edmonton Oilers and all the forward talent they have accumulated over the years with their high draft picks, and you would think they'd be more a part of the post season than they have been. In fact, not only have they NOT been much a part of NHL post season play, they are very often one of the worst teams in the Western Conference, and sometimes, the entire NHL.Team philosophy there seems to be offense, offense, offense...which is great, but offense can be shut down by solid and savvy defensive teams, so even with that kind of philosophy, SOMEBODY'S gotta play D and mind the net properly.And I am not putting down the Oilers as an orgainization mind you, but fact is, they seemed to have put all their eggs in an offensive basket with their picks and the way they develop players and sign FA players. See, I think since Calgary is built more on a defense first philosophy, if they can get any players with some good offensive skills, they move themselves up the ladder much more quickly than the Oilers for instance, simply because they always pay a mind to the defensive side of the game, and the goaltending, and build their team around that.Granted, many recent Flames teams haven't been very good defensively or in goal, but it is because they haven't had the horses back there in recent seasons.....but their philosophy demands they fix that ASAP and NOT try to rely solely on offensive talent to get them through. Enter gifted players like a Sean Monahan, a Sam Bennett, and maybe even a Johnny Gaudreau, and those guys could very well accelerate Calgary's rebuild because they will be allowed to do their thing while the team as a whole still subscribes to a good base defense mindset. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jammer2 Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 @TropicalFruitGirl26 I agree. The Flames as an org seem to take defense more to heart than the Oilers. I was impressed at the play of young tender Kari Ramo last year. He got better as the year progressed. His back up Berra was solid for a young tender also. I think Ramo is the goalie of the future for the Flames. The Oilers defense should be given a boost by rookie Darnell Nurse, who at the very least will be their best skater back there. Seems to me, they could have traded down in the 1st picked up Sanheim AND gotten some serious assets back. Not a knock on Drasatl, just say'in...concentrating on offense has gotten them squat so far. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yave1964 Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 I am a huge proponent of OJT (on the job training) and with the Flames being in the bottom of the conference, but finally with a sense of direction, I would go the Monahan way and let Bennett get a whole season of trial by fire. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hf101 Posted September 3, 2014 Share Posted September 3, 2014 Apparently Treliving seems to think it will take some time before the 18-year-old forward’s ready for the NHL. Either that, or he is challenging him. “There are a lot of guys who can play in the league. But [the real questions are] can you help the team, and is it good for you?” Treliving asked, per Sportsnet. “I would be shocked [if Bennett sticks]. He will have to come in here and show beyond a shadow of a doubt that, not only is he ready to be here, but this is what’s best for him.” Treliving isn’t singling out Bennett though as he’s equally measured in his expectations of top prospect Johnny Gaudreau. “I’m not down on Johnny Gaudreau at all. We’re dying for ability,” Treliving said. “But we’ve seen it here before, where it’s, ‘Here’s the saviour.’ The expectation for me is… playing in the American League is hard. Stepping right in from the college to the NHL? Very few do it.” Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
notfondajane Posted October 14, 2014 Share Posted October 14, 2014 Isn't it the rule of thumb that defense wins championships? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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