Calgary Flames: Sam Bennett reportedly gaining interest from Montreal
By Ramina Shlah
Could this be the final season of the Calgary Flames highest-ever draft pick in Calgary? Sam Bennett has reportedly been gaining interest from other teams.
In the latest “31 Thoughts” by Elliotte Friedman, he claimed that the Montreal Canadiens are reportedly interested in Sam Bennett. The Calgary Flames highest-ever draft pick has also supposedly had Anaheim, Philadelphia, and Tampa Bay express interest over the years, however, we don’t know how long ago that was.
"The list of teams who’ve inquired about him through the years includes Anaheim, Montreal, Philadelphia and Tampa Bay. I’m not convinced the Flames want to trade him, knowing he’s 22 and could blossom elsewhere. Just something to watch, as he searches for a fit with a new coach and changed roster."
The once highly-touted draft-pick who fell down to the fourth overall pick has struggled in his early NHL career. In just 244 regular season games, Bennett has 42 goals and 89 points. To play devil’s advocate for him, he’s never quite had great linemates and when he does play on a competent line (ie with Johnny Gaudreau or with Mikael Backlund), he plays quite well. But an opposing argument can be made, in that a great player shouldn’t need great linemates to be successful.
Although Bennett has struggled in the regular season, he has actually done well during the two playoff contentions the Flames have played in since he joined the NHL. And, as long as Bennett doesn’t grow out another gross beard, the Flames (and Bennett) will do just fine.
Must Read. Reason for season of mishap: Sam Bennett's beard. light
The Flames signed Bennett to a bridge-deal once his ELC was up at the end of the 2016-17 season. It was slightly lower than what I anticipated at an AAV of $1.95 million. His contract ends after this season, yet he’ll be an RFA again.
I don’t think the Flames will let Bennett become an RFA if they’re planning on another team giving him an offer sheet. Brad Treliving is a smart man and he’ll most likely try and get something out of him this season if he’s not planning on re-signing him. However, if Treliving were to make a move with Bennett, I don’t think it’ll be until the trade deadline, or at least very close to it.
I’ve been very pro “let’s not trade Bennett and see what potential he has”, but I think at this point, with all the new acquisitions the Calgary Flames made this off-season, I wouldn’t be completely heart-broken if Bennett left.
Next. Mike Smith finally shows up in shutout over Preds. dark
The Flames will also need to re-sign Matthew Tkachuk this season who will most likely post $5 million+, and they’ll need to either re-sign Mike Smith (no please) or find another starting goaltender as well. And they won’t have a whole lot of cap space to do so.
I’m not saying to trade Bennett, but it wouldn’t necessarily be the worst thing in the world…