Despite my track record of loving the player, I was flip-flopping on the idea of sacrificing Benning in the interest of cap space this offseason. The case justifying it was already weak, but now it's practically untenable. He's among the best 3rd pair Dmen in the league. How Holland handles re-signing Benning will play a significant part in how he should be evaluated. Holland ought to have leverage thanks to the injury concerns and this being Benning's hometown team- assuming he can apply that leverage wisely.
- MaximumBone

What sorta coin would you give Benning? And what term?

What sorta coin would you give Benning? And what term?
- Wildschwein

I'd lean towards giving him a 1 year deal at around 2, but if he'll take a discount for some term, I'd be comfortable with something like 1.5 x 3. Concussions are no joke.

I'd lean towards giving him a 1 year deal at around 2, but if he'll take a discount for some term, I'd be comfortable with something like 1.5 x 3. Concussions are no joke.
- MaximumBone

Ya that’s probably the going rate. Good guy to have in that spot

Tkachuk whooped bears ass

Flames 3 Oilers 1

Tkachuk whooped bears ass
- Squilliam-

He pretty much hugged him for 20 seconds If that constitutes a win, I don't know what world you're living in.

Tkachuk whooped bears ass
- Squilliam-

Mike smith basically pulled a kassian on talbot lol

Tkachuk whooped bears ass
- Squilliam-

Tkachuk is the worst scrapper in the league haha.

I'd lean towards giving him a 1 year deal at around 2, but if he'll take a discount for some term, I'd be comfortable with something like 1.5 x 3. Concussions are no joke.
- MaximumBone

Cant see Benning taking a pay cut from his 1.9 mil hes making this year...

Cant see Benning taking a pay cut from his 1.9 mil hes making this year...
- oilpatch

Do you think any team will offer him over 1.9 million?

Do you think any team will offer him over 1.9 million?
- Oilers4Life14

Smart ones who know the value of consistent outscoring might, but the risk is there.

Cant see Benning taking a pay cut from his 1.9 mil hes making this year...
- oilpatch

And I can't see him getting both his current money on a contract and term considering his concussion issue. Securing 4.5mil as opposed to 1.9 or 2 when he's said that one more concussion could end his career might be the wiser move. Could be wrong but that's the negotiating stance I'd take.

He's probably worth at least 2 to 2.5 per year, but a GM should use every bit of leverage possible to save cap space.

And I can't see him getting both his current money on a contract and term considering his concussion issue. Securing 4.5mil as opposed to 1.9 or 2 when he's said that one more concussion could end his career might be the wiser move. Could be wrong but that's the negotiating stance I'd take.

He's probably worth at least 2 to 2.5 per year, but a GM should use every bit of leverage possible to save cap space.
- MaximumBone

For sure, but...Like you said in an earlier post on Kassian, we seem to overpay by at least a half mil on almost all contracts.

Do you think any team will offer him over 1.9 million?
- Oilers4Life14

I think it all depends on Hollands plan going forward.We finally have a decent depth on D and will have to start making room for Bouchard etc. Also have to consider Seattle expansion and who we can and will protect..

Tkachuk whooped bears ass
- Squilliam-

Flames new book:

'How to lose 4 fights in 30 seconds'

What does Knee-Ordano? think??

Smart ones who know the value of consistent outscoring might, but the risk is there.
- MaximumBone

Just from the eye test, it feels like he's hemmed in his own zone a lot. I think it's partially (probably mostly lol) Russell's fault, but it really just seems like they can't get the puck out.

I'm interested to see the goalie's save percentage when he's on the ice.

I don't think Edmonton offers him that though. Not because he's bad, but because Bouchard will probably be up next season, and I don't seem them paying 1.9 million for a 7th dman.

I think it all depends on Hollands plan going forward.We finally have a decent depth on D and will have to start making room for Bouchard etc. Also have to consider Seattle expansion and who we can and will protect..
- oilpatch

I like what Neal has done, but still think he should be a kraken.

I like what Neal has done, but still think he should be a kraken.
- doon

Deals can be made What else you want to give up to see him go ?

Deals can be made What else you want to give up to see him go ?
- oilpatch

Nothing

https://mobile.twitter.com/crazycoach21

Ethan Bear gave Tkachuk so many rights, Indigenous Services Canada is in the Flames dressing room giving Tkachuk a status card!



Funniest tweet of the game haha.

Just from the eye test, it feels like he's hemmed in his own zone a lot. I think it's partially (probably mostly lol) Russell's fault, but it really just seems like they can't get the puck out.

I'm interested to see the goalie's save percentage when he's on the ice.

I don't think Edmonton offers him that though. Not because he's bad, but because Bouchard will probably be up next season, and I don't seem them paying 1.9 million for a 7th dman.
- Oilers4Life14

Relying solely on the eye test has its flaws. His shot share and chance share numbers are among the best in the D corps. Sure, he may still be being "hemmed in" physically but it's not being converted into shots or chances against.

Among Oilers Dmen that have played 100+ mins, Benning has:

- the lowest CA/60 (@ 50.86; worst is Klefbom @ 61.01)
- the lowest SA/60 (@ 25.52; worst is Nurse @ 33.36)
- the lowest GA/60 (@ 1.57; worst is Bear @ 3.44)
- the lowest SCA/60 (@ 25.17; worst is Klefbom @ 29.89)
- the lowest HDCA/60 (@ 9.61; worst is Persson @ 11.79)

Important to remember the context that they're playing more of their minutes against the bottoms of the opposing rosters, but Dmen that can convert the weaker matchups into goal differential dominance have a lot of value.

Further, if we assume that they are in fact getting hemmed in and spending more time in their zone than their shot and chance share numbers indicate, then we also need to give him credit for how wildly effective he is at maximizing the lesser time he spends in the offensive zone. Because he also happens to lead the team in on-ice GF/60 (@ 3.5, +0.44 ahead of Bear; worst is Russell @ 1.46).

He's also maximizing his McDavid minutes in a way not many Dmen have done. His w/ McDavid GF/60 is an absurd 6.96 in 77:37 of his 300+ minutes. The next highest total belongs to Nurse @ 3.88- a total per-60 difference of 3.08!!! This year is an exceptionally good example, but it's not far removed from the consistent numbers from 2016-17 to 2018-19 his w/ McDavid rate still sits at 4.27.

Once again, context is vital so we don't get carried away. A good portion of these minutes are likely the coach of the time exploiting a matchup by sending McDavid out against a tired group or against a 3rd or 4th line (as that's Benning's most common opposition), but he's STILL making hay in those minutes better than any Dman we've employed alongside/in place of him since he arrived.

This is a very valuable depth player that facilitates tactical exploitation of the bottom-end of opposing rosters. There's a lot of value in maximizing these exploitable minutes and Benning has proven to do just that.