Well no need to fret anymore, folks. The Calgary Flames have finally re-signed forward Sam Bennett to a two-year deal.
IT FINALLY HAPPENED. After waiting months in anticipation, the Calgary Flames have finally re-signed RFA forward Sam Bennett. One of the most anticipated signings for the Flames this off-season.
After some scares yesterday from TSN’s Darren Dreger saying Bennett may go overseas to play, but then he counteracted that by saying something will probably get done (it was a weird segment of tweets).
Still a sizable gap in contract talks between the Flames and Sam Bennett. Possibility Bennett heads overseas until a deal in Calgary is done
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) September 5, 2017
But no worries guys! Bennett won’t end up missing training camp and pre-season games after all, we can all take a (small) deep breath. The Flames signed Bennett on a two-year contract with $1.95 AAV. Everyone knew he was going to get some sort of bridge deal, but nobody could quite predict how much. If this was a couple of months ago, I would have been surprised that he signed at less than $2 million.
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A month ago, I was expecting around a $2.5 million mark. And I analyzed his contract a couple months ago, and put him somewhere between $2.5 – $3.25 million. But again, that was two months ago. And I analyzed comparing to other players seeing how Bennett is somewhat of a special case since he was the highest ever draft pick in Calgary Flames history.
But yes, I’ll admit. I was wrong in my analysis. And now we don’t have to worry about somebody like Leon Draisaitl raising expectations for RFA’s.
However, seeing how long it took, I knew that GM Brad Treliving would end up getting his way and I knew it would be less. I don’t know what Treliving says to players or other GM’s or agents, but he is by far one of the best negotiators I think I have ever seen.
man treliving is so good at negotiating im naming my first born brad treliving
— Flame For Thought (@Flame_4_Thought) September 6, 2017
Last season, Bennett had just 13 goals and 26 points in 81 games. Maybe he needs another veteran winger to help him out.. maybe a 45-year old…
And although Treliving has denied any Jaromir Jagr rumours, you can’t help but wonder if something involving Jagr is coming soon. Everyone knew that nothing would probably happen before Bennett re-signed.
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But now that he’s re-signed, there’s only one more piece of business left, Brad… just one more 45-year old piece of business.