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Calgary Flames re-sign Sam Bennett to a two-year deal

By Jayden Wasney |
CALGARY, AB - APRIL 19: Calgary Flames Winger Sam Bennett (93) holds his stick above his head as his team's season comes to an end following the loss of Game Five of the Western Conference First Round during the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs where the Calgary Flames hosted the Colorado Avalanche on April 19, 2019, at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, AB. (Photo by Brett Holmes/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CALGARY, AB - APRIL 19: Calgary Flames Winger Sam Bennett (93) holds his stick above his head as his team's season comes to an end following the loss of Game Five of the Western Conference First Round during the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs where the Calgary Flames hosted the Colorado Avalanche on April 19, 2019, at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, AB. (Photo by Brett Holmes/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The Calgary Flames have taken care of business with one of their main free agents by signing Sam Bennett to a two-year deal.

The Calgary Flames knocked a major priority off their summer list on Wednesday, as they re-signed 23-year-old forward Sam Bennett to a two-year deal worth $2.55 million a season.

This deal is perfect for the Flames. Two years is just enough time for the Flames to decide if Bennett is the right fit for their team. He has struggled offensively, but he is still young. The fact that Brad Treliving was able to sign Bennett for less than $3 million is very surprising, but the Flames GM is no rookie when it comes to making a deal.

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Bennett is the Flames highest-ever draft pick, as he was selected fourth overall in the 2014 NHL draft. He has a lot of years left in him, but he also has a lot of growing to do too. His offensive contributions may not be where he, the Flames, or their fans expected at this point in his career. But Bennett has shown that he can be tough to play against.

Last season Bennett appeared in 71 regular-season games. He scored 13 goals and added 14 assists. What really hurt Bennett’s season last year was, unfortunately, his chemistry with James Neal, or lack thereof.

Neal had a career-worst season with the Flames, and the line of Bennett, Jankowski, and Neal just wasn’t clicking. Now that Neal has been traded for Milan Lucic, the hope for Bennett is that he can create chemistry with Lucic and Jankowski. Lucic certainly adds a veteran presence to not just his linemates, but also the team as a whole.

At 6’1” and 195 pounds, Bennett brings in a good amount of size to the Flames third line. If the Flames were to go with the line combination of Bennett, Jankowski, and Lucic on the third line, it would absolutely be a tough line to contend with. Bennett and Jankowski add size and skill, while Lucic adds size. Quite possibly if he gels with his linemates, he could add offensive upside too.

In his five year NHL career, he’s put out an impressive 498 hits. Bennett has really found his toughness on the Flames third line. Points can be tough to come by at times for him, so he has found himself playing more of a physical style of hockey as of late.

Bennett has 116 points in 312 games played. Of those 116 points, He had himself a four-goal game against the Florida Panthers in 2016, so it’s no secret that Bennett can be a deadly weapon offensively.

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For the Flames and Bennett, this is the right deal. The money makes sense for the Flames, and at two years, it’s extremely low risk. If Bennett wants to stay with the Flames after those two years are up, he will have to show that he can be a point producer on a nightly basis and that he can continue to be a pest to play against. This season will be huge for Bennett. He has a lot to prove to the Flames organization, as well as the fans.

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