If I'm Flames it starts with Robertson and includes one of those other cats. Then you have a deal.
- dozerD10

What are you smoking?
Robertson >>>>>>>Bennett.

Dude is a stud in playoffs. Clutch is in short supply in Toronto. Makes sense. Could see Bennett+2021 3rd/EDM to TOR for
Engvall (for his salary offset)+Liljegren+2022 2nd
- 13of39

Clutch is a myth. Small sample size with a large media starving meaning in all that crap.

Clutch is a myth. Small sample size with a large media starving meaning in all that crap.
- Dr. Leaf

Bennett isn't trying on purpose, that playoff performance was a matter of him showing the Coach/Gm what he could do, and since he wasn't rewarded with being put on the 1st or 2nd line = trade request.

Remember, Bennett was pumped as a ruthless competitor with a sky high effort level when he was drafted. His whole time in Calgary has been an endless last shift in Columbus for Dubois.

If I'm Flames it starts with Robertson and includes one of those other cats. Then you have a deal.
- dozerD10

- Aetherial

I just want to know who the other cat is?

I just want to know who the other cat is?
- gergeswillems

Nylander

Bennett makes too much for a 4th liner. I doubt Leafs are interested.

Bennett makes too much for a 4th liner. I doubt Leafs are interested.
- RogerRoeper

Camoooonnnn!!!

Bennett isn't trying on purpose, that playoff performance was a matter of him showing the Coach/Gm what he could do, and since he wasn't rewarded with being put on the 1st or 2nd line = trade request.

Remember, Bennett was pumped as a ruthless competitor with a sky high effort level when he was drafted. His whole time in Calgary has been an endless last shift in Columbus for Dubois.
- eastcanadAREaholes

Your theory makes sense to me. Leafs should have huge interest but I think it can only work if it's a package around Dermott or Engvall. Calgary should retain a couple bucks because they get two controllable assets.

If Bennett wasn't taken in the top 5 of his draft, would these returns (and his current aav) be as absurd?

What does he do better than a player like Tyler Motte, who makes half as much, and could probably be had for a 3rd and a warm body?

Your theory makes sense to me. Leafs should have huge interest but I think it can only work if it's a package around Dermott or Engvall. Calgary should retain a couple bucks because they get two controllable assets.
- leafslunch

Hey it is what it is. People are putting on their GM hats and nickle and diming Calgary. I'd keep in mind the fact he wanted a chance on the top 2 lines, as a risk - looks like only 1 slot's available for that, when Joe returns.

Bennett is a relatively estimated risk, that's worth taking. It's buying low on a player who can be effective when he tries. But he's thinking "more opportunity + showcase his abilities = big pay day", so if he's not put on the top 2 lines, he could sulk or he could be a proud Ontario boy who goes through the wall for his Leafs even if he's put on the 3rd line

I'm not kidding you that he's not trying on purpose. Nobody wants to say it on the Calgary forums - which are very politically correct. But it's absolutely obvious when you see how he played in the playoffs, and how he started this season with no effort, vs. his last game vs the Oilers which had a sky high effort level. Good luck with him, Bennett will be addition by subtraction for Calgary, Lucic's next

Not sure I get it . . . Didn't the Leafs have a player like Bennett on their team just a couple of seasons ago? Guy by the name of Kadri. Sure, Kadri earned a bad reputation for some poor decisions at critical times, but he also had two 30 goal seasons before JT arrived, if memory serves me. Bennett's come no where close to that production but having watched him play A LOT, he can also be prone to letting his emotions dictate poor decisions at the wrong time, as well. Don't get me wrong, I like both Kadri and Bennett as players, but this is a head-scratcher. (Was Bennett part of the deal that Kadri nixed from Toronto to Calgary 2 years ago? . . . I can't recall.)

Kadri is a billion times better than Bennett. It’s a stretch to compare them at all

I don’t think anyone could have predicted Barrie would be so terrible in TO, but I still hated that trade from the get go

He was the only one who played with any grit during that last playoff series
- AxlRose91

I was sort of alluding to that (bolded), which is why I find this rumor (BS or otherwise! LOL) comical. They had a player LIKE Bennett (gritty guy who will stand up for mates with skill) just 2 seasons ago, but Kadri was the proven offensive performer. If there is any merit to this possible trade, one wonders how much Kadri's been missed . . .

Tom Brady is The Man.

Tom Brady is The Man.


- gergeswillems

Yesterday was the first time I ever cheered for him.

Not sure I get it . . . Didn't the Leafs have a player like Bennett on their team just a couple of seasons ago? Guy by the name of Kadri. Sure, Kadri earned a bad reputation for some poor decisions at critical times, but he also had two 30 goal seasons before JT arrived, if memory serves me. Bennett's come no where close to that production but having watched him play A LOT, he can also be prone to letting his emotions dictate poor decisions at the wrong time, as well. Don't get me wrong, I like both Kadri and Bennett as players, but this is a head-scratcher. (Was Bennett part of the deal that Kadri nixed from Toronto to Calgary 2 years ago? . . . I can't recall.)



I was sort of alluding to that (bolded), which is why I find this rumor (BS or otherwise! LOL) comical. They had a player LIKE Bennett (gritty guy who will stand up for mates with skill) just 2 seasons ago, but Kadri was the proven offensive performer. If there is any merit to this possible trade, one wonders how much Kadri's been missed . . .
- Quillanrocks

As a fan I've missed him. I didn't like the trade the day it happened. Barrie not being a fit, and Kerfoot not being a difference maker have just further bolded it for me. His Boston suspensions were untimely, but I still believe it's a trade that didn't need to happen that off-season.

Let's face it, Kadri isn't the reason Boston beat the leafs in game 7's two years in a row. It was coaching decisions, and our stars came up short. Last year's play in against Columbus is just further proof of it.

Let off some steam, Bennett!
- Zezel

Barzal for Bennett!

Dear EK,

Get a Sabres blogger.

Stop trying to pawn Garths alter ego Mark Pino on us.

Do better.

Bennys grit/skill would be the perfect fit in Toronto.
I just dont think the names thrown out by the Toronto media are any where close.
Dermott, Engevall, Sandin, Lilegren etc... its going to take more than that.
- DEDDIE

You are so right, nothing less then Matthews makes sense. The star Sam Bennett with a career high 18 goals and 36 points 5 years ago is only worth another star in return.

You are so right, nothing less then Matthews makes sense. The star Sam Bennett with a career high 18 goals and 36 points 5 years ago is only worth another star in return.
- Archaic

Odds are he doesn't land in TO - when has eklund been right?

If Bennett was traded to Columbus that would be hilarious - John Tortorella would literally explode if Bennett tried to pull the same half a** effort games that he plays in Calgary

People won't like to hear this: Bennett hasn't been trying at all for the past few years on purpose.
As a Flames fan, I could see it. Post-trade request, they put him on the top line with Gaudreau and Monahan - and it's like Calgary acquired a completely new player. He's making much sharper plays, actually putting an effort into puck battles and not playing half a** hockey. This also explains why he's "a playoff performer".
Up to this point he's been pouting and not even trying, I bet you anything he's jealous that Gaudreau, Monahan, and Tkachuk - all got major pay days, and thinks that the Flames ruined his career. I think that's pretty pathetic for being a multi-millionaire already.
The bottom line is that it's not going to work out in Calgary for Sam Bennett, if you look at how he looked at Monahan after he scored that goal against Edmonton yesterday, I think the look in Bennett's eyes at Monahan says everything.
You can bet Calgary will lose this trade, and Bennett will give you the playoff version effort level with his next team all the time.
And it's not a matter of "giving him time", he's probably at 2nd or 3rd line player when he's playing hard, I think he's already there but not trying, and I think on the other hand - there is some truth to Gaudreau+Monahan playing like crap on purpose too, when they get separated. Those two have driven so many great players out of town including Jagr and other I can't think of right away - and so as a result of that, he's been paired with junk 3rd/4th liners, to some degree he's got a point, but his effort level and the non-sensical games he's playing, can be blamed for him not getting penciled in on the new Lindholm/Tkachuk line.
Trade Bennett to Buffalo or some other hole - ever since he got angry in Calgary, his effort level on every shift has been like "THE" Dubois shift in Columbus that caused him to get benched and traded out of town.
- eastcanadAREaholes

Jagr lol! you can't be serious...Father time drove Jagr out of town


Bennett asked to play center before the season, he obviously knew he wasn't going to be in the top six at center

If it's being rumoured this strongly here, it's safe to say Bennett ISN'T going to Toronto.