Todd Cordell: On the Calgary Flames' rumored interest in Josh Anderson

We’ll take gaudreau for ghost.

I’ve given the green light to Chuck.

He scores goals at a 1st line rate.

He has netted 36 goals at 5v5 since the beginning of the 2017-18 season.

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

We’ll take gaudreau for ghost.

I’ve given the green light to Chuck.
- bruceflyers

In the words of Aerosmith..Dream On

A couple months ago I thought it would be a decent idea to deal Bennett for Anderson 1 for 1. I don’t know if the jackets would be interested but they’re pretty similar players that could use a change of scenery

He scores goals at a 1st line rate.

He has netted 36 goals at 5v5 since the beginning of the 2017-18 season.

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

His 35 goals at 5 on 5 in 2017-18 and 2018-19 would place him 3rd on the Flames behind Gaudreau and Monahan with 5 more than Tkachuk. Laugh if you'd like, but you guys would be hardpressed to find a better fit for your hole on RW.

His 35 goals at 5 on 5 in 2017-18 and 2018-19 would place him 3rd on the Flames behind Gaudreau and Monahan with 5 more than Tkachuk. Laugh if you'd like, but you guys would be hardpressed to find a better fit for your hole on RW.
- MaximumBone

I'm staying well away from a 26 year old who has all of 65 career goals and some injury issues.

I'm staying well away from a 26 year old who has all of 65 career goals and some injury issues.
- BINGO!

Kinda depends on the nature of the injuries and the cost to acquire.

Framing things your way makes it sound like he didn't average over 20 goals per 82-game season for the first 3 seasons of his career. Those are quality numbers for anyone- let alone a 26 year old, 6'3, volume-shooting power forward that seems to kill penalties. A season derailed by injury is a concern, but it also doesn't negate what he's done unless it's multiple concussions or something REALLY severe (Achilles or PCL injury).

Meh, depends on the ask back.

His 35 goals at 5 on 5 in 2017-18 and 2018-19 would place him 3rd on the Flames behind Gaudreau and Monahan with 5 more than Tkachuk. Laugh if you'd like, but you guys would be hardpressed to find a better fit for your hole on RW.
- MaximumBone

He makes no sense for the Flames unless the deal is something like Lucic and a first for Anderson. Is he an upgrade over Lindholm? No. Is he better than Mangiapane? Maybe. He's bigger, but he's also older and is going to want more money than Mangiapane, and Mangiapane also scores at a top-line clip at 5v5 if you only use the numbers that support your argument. They also had pretty comparable seasons as 23-year-olds. Is he worth taking up a top nine spot that could be going to Dube? Probably not.

Would he be an upgrade over Bennett if they did a one for one swap and Anderson signed for 2.5 million? Probably. Will that ever happen? No. Even then, Bennett is still younger, has more career points, and Anderson was basically Bennett until his 27 goal season at 25.

Maybe if the cap was going up, they could find a spot for him, but they have younger cheaper options already on the team. I guess a Mangiapane for Anderson trade could make sense but I feel the Flames are taking the bigger risk there.

I would do it for Bennett.

With a legit RW we could put Lindholm with Tkachuk.

He makes no sense for the Flames unless the deal is something like Lucic and a first for Anderson. Is he an upgrade over Lindholm? No. Is he better than Mangiapane? Maybe. He's bigger, but he's also older and is going to want more money than Mangiapane, and Mangiapane also scores at a top-line clip at 5v5 if you only use the numbers that support your argument. They also had pretty comparable seasons as 23-year-olds. Is he worth taking up a top nine spot that could be going to Dube? Probably not.
- Hunkulese

You say that as if the last thing the Flames need is a middle 6, goal-scoring powerforward to bolster their RW depth. There are plenty of ways it makes sense for the Flames; you might prefer going down a different path, but that doesn't mean he isn't a damn good fit for your team's needs.

Would he be an upgrade over Bennett if they did a one for one swap and Anderson signed for 2.5 million? Probably. Will that ever happen? No. Even then, Bennett is still younger, has more career points, and Anderson was basically Bennett until his 27 goal season at 25.

Maybe if the cap was going up, they could find a spot for him, but they have younger cheaper options already on the team. I guess a Mangiapane for Anderson trade could make sense but I feel the Flames are taking the bigger risk there.
- Hunkulese

Career points is a flaccid argument given he has 13 more points in almost 100 more games; don't bring that weak poop.

Scoring rates have Anderson ahead (excluding this season, of course). His per-60 pts scoring rates from his full seasons are 1.79, 1.48, and 1.79 (this season 0.59) compared to Bennett's 1.67, 1.21, 1.41, and 1.57 (this season: 1.11).

He'd likely cost more than 2.5mil in cap space, but it's not like you guys are all that shy in that avenue. You've got 16mil to add a top-4 D, two bottom pairing D, a backup goalie, and some 4th line fodder while resigning Mangiapane (Janko is gonna get a pay drop if he comes back). Even if his ask is 3.5mil on a one year trial deal, that's only a 1mil net difference for a guy that's a definite improvement on Bennett both in ability and fit.

Gaudreau- Backlund- Monahan
Tkachuk- Lindholm- Anderson
Dube- Ryan- Mangiapane
Lucic- some other 4th liners

Or rotate Mangy and Anderson if you'd prefer; I don't know how they'd best be deployed. You'd likely need to make a small addition to Bennett, but Sammy does kinda fit Columbus' style to a tee so maybe not.

You say that as if the last thing the Flames need is a middle 6, goal-scoring powerforward to bolster their RW depth. There are plenty of ways it makes sense for the Flames; you might prefer going down a different path, but that doesn't mean he isn't a damn good fit for your team's needs.


Career points is a flaccid argument given he has 13 more points in almost 100 more games; don't bring that weak poop.

Scoring rates have Anderson ahead (excluding this season, of course). His per-60 pts scoring rates from his full seasons are 1.79, 1.48, and 1.79 (this season 0.59) compared to Bennett's 1.67, 1.21, 1.41, and 1.57 (this season: 1.11).

He'd likely cost more than 2.5mil in cap space, but it's not like you guys are all that shy in that avenue. You've got 16mil to add a top-4 D, two bottom pairing D, a backup goalie, and some 4th line fodder while resigning Mangiapane (Janko is gonna get a pay drop if he comes back). Even if his ask is 3.5mil on a one year trial deal, that's only a 1mil net difference for a guy that's a definite improvement on Bennett both in ability and fit.

Gaudreau- Backlund- Monahan
Tkachuk- Lindholm- Anderson
Dube- Ryan- Mangiapane
Lucic- some other 4th liners

Or rotate Mangy and Anderson if you'd prefer; I don't know how they'd best be deployed. You'd likely need to make a small addition to Bennett, but Sammy does kinda fit Columbus' style to a tee so maybe not.
- MaximumBone

If he was free, sure give him a shot. But the Flames need to give something up to bring him in, then either pay him based on one great season or give him a one year contract and risk him having a big year and not being able to afford to keep him long term.

It'd be nice if the Flames had a right-handed shot, but Mangiapane was fine playing on the right side this year and Anderson is pretty much a sidegrade, older, and more expensive. He's also not a clear upgrade over Bennett as far as ability. If Bennett ever finds a decent sports psychologist, he can still be a decent player. He has all the tools but can't get out of his own head. He's been the team's best players every time they've been in the playoffs, so hopefully a playoff only season gets his head on straight.

Bottom line is it's not worth giving up assets for Anderson. The Flames are still dealing with the fallout of Neal being the perfect fit for their RW problem. Not the time to make it worse.

If he was free, sure give him a shot. But the Flames need to give something up to bring him in, then either pay him based on one great season or give him a one year contract and risk him having a big year and not being able to afford to keep him long term.

It'd be nice if the Flames had a right-handed shot, but Mangiapane was fine playing on the right side this year and Anderson is pretty much a sidegrade, older, and more expensive. He's also not a clear upgrade over Bennett as far as ability. If Bennett ever finds a decent sports psychologist, he can still be a decent player. He has all the tools but can't get out of his own head. He's been the team's best players every time they've been in the playoffs, so hopefully a playoff only season gets his head on straight.

Bottom line is it's not worth giving up assets for Anderson. The Flames are still dealing with the fallout of Neal being the perfect fit for their RW problem. Not the time to make it worse.
- Hunkulese

Alright, you're free to think what you'd like.

I dont understand why some Flames fans like Hunkulese keep saying the team shouldn't trade Bennett or he's a decent player. I think they overvalue him too much. He has never reached the 40 pt and 20 goal plateau in his career and he's very inconsistent. He was drafted at 4th overall in 2014 because he was the best player available at that position and Calgary needed help on center. Unfortunately, Bennett's never became the player Flames scouts have seen on him. He cant plays at center and his skating isn't great either. He wasn't able to translate his skills and his talent at the NHL level. He reminds me Nick Ritchie so much. Both were high-level players and prospects in the OHL, both were drafted in the top-10 in 14, both had skating issues and both have dissapointed in the NHL. So, if the Ducks have traded Ritchie to Boston for Heinen, Calgary can do the same with Bennett especially if Columbus offers you Josh Anderson in return.

I dont understand why some Flames fans like Hunkulese keep saying the team shouldn't trade Bennett or he's a decent player. I think they overvalue him too much. He has never reached the 40 pt and 20 goal plateau in his career and he's very inconsistent. He was drafted at 4th overall in 2014 because he was the best player available at that position and Calgary needed help on center. Unfortunately, Bennett's never became the player Flames scouts have seen on him. He cant plays at center and his skating isn't great either. He wasn't able to translate his skills and his talent at the NHL level. He reminds me Nick Ritchie so much. Both were high-level players and prospects in the OHL, both were drafted in the top-10 in 14, both had skating issues and both have dissapointed in the NHL. So, if the Ducks have traded Ritchie to Boston for Heinen, Calgary can do the same with Bennett especially if Columbus offers you Josh Anderson in return.
- batman8990

I think the reason you dont understand is if you look at playoffs & excluding the year he missed because of shoulder & played in the playoffs only because he was raw rookie & played a limited role & limited shifts in the playoffs, the other years, he was 7 points in 9 games & was one of our best players in the playoffs. Quite frankly I would like to acquire Anderson but not give them Bennett. Bennett & Anderson in our lineups would be my preference going into a rugged playoff series. Not sure what Columbus wants, they have their butts up against the cap & know Anderson has arbitration rights. Maybe they just want futures, picks/prospects type of thing.

I dont understand why some Flames fans like Hunkulese keep saying the team shouldn't trade Bennett or he's a decent player. I think they overvalue him too much. He has never reached the 40 pt and 20 goal plateau in his career and he's very inconsistent. He was drafted at 4th overall in 2014 because he was the best player available at that position and Calgary needed help on center. Unfortunately, Bennett's never became the player Flames scouts have seen on him. He cant plays at center and his skating isn't great either. He wasn't able to translate his skills and his talent at the NHL level. He reminds me Nick Ritchie so much. Both were high-level players and prospects in the OHL, both were drafted in the top-10 in 14, both had skating issues and both have dissapointed in the NHL. So, if the Ducks have traded Ritchie to Boston for Heinen, Calgary can do the same with Bennett especially if Columbus offers you Josh Anderson in return.
- batman8990

What's the point of trading Bennett? Sure, he's been a disappointment, but he's been an effective bottom-six guy and isn't hurting the team. They're not going to get much back in a trade. If you watch him every night, you can still see he has all the ability to be a great player but he hasn't been able to put it all together consistently. The potential is still there and outweighs whatever meagre return the Flames would get in a trade. He also has zero skating issues.

What's the point of trading Bennett? Sure, he's been a disappointment, but he's been an effective bottom-six guy and isn't hurting the team. They're not going to get much back in a trade. If you watch him every night, you can still see he has all the ability to be a great player but he hasn't been able to put it all together consistently. The potential is still there and outweighs whatever meagre return the Flames would get in a trade. He also has zero skating issues.
- Hunkulese

Totally agree. Let’s see how he performs this playoffs. If anything the Flames lack what Bennett brings. Effective bottom 6, if he was taken 24th instead of 4th we’d be happy.

I don't understand why some Flames fans like Hunkulese keep saying the team shouldn't trade Bennett or he's a decent player. I think they overvalue him too much. He has never reached the 40 pt and 20 goal plateau in his career and he's very inconsistent. He was drafted at 4th overall in 2014 because he was the best player available at that position and Calgary needed help on center. Unfortunately, Bennett's never became the player Flames scouts have seen on him. He cant plays at center and his skating isn't great either. He wasn't able to translate his skills and his talent at the NHL level. He reminds me Nick Ritchie so much. Both were high-level players and prospects in the OHL, both were drafted in the top-10 in 14, both had skating issues and both have disappointed in the NHL. So, if the Ducks have traded Ritchie to Boston for Heinen, Calgary can do the same with Bennett especially if Columbus offers you Josh Anderson in return.
- batman8990

I completely agree. Bennett contributes almost nothing to the roster and it's worth giving him up to see what Anderson can bring.

Totally agree. Let’s see how he performs this playoffs. If anything the Flames lack what Bennett brings. Effective bottom 6, if he was taken 24th instead of 4th we’d be happy.
- K-man25

The only hope we have is that he will play well in playoffs. If he does it would raise his value.

His potential has sailed. He is a decent bottom 6 guy who a couple times a season turns up the intensity for a 3 game stretch.

I completely agree. Bennett contributes almost nothing to the roster and it's worth giving him up to see what Anderson can bring.
- Kzak99

Is it worth paying Anderson the 5x5 that they'd need to to get him to stick around?

Also, Bennett alone isn't bringing in Anderson.

Hamonic sitting out. Not even mad, Noah and Rasmus made a way better 2nd pairing

Hamonic sitting out. Not even mad, Noah and Rasmus made a way better 2nd pairing
- Squilliam-

Have to wonder if his contract status has something to do with it. Coming off a contract where he was underpaid, I'm sure he wants to get full value in his next deal. With a flat cap, that's going to be a challenge. Getting hurt now would make it near impossible.