How the Calgary Flames misused Sam Bennett

Two-time Stanley Cup champion, Conn Smythe winner, and 4-Nations Face Off champion, Sam Bennett has proven himself as a top player in the NHL. However, it wasn’t always like that. As almost all will remember, Bennett is the highest draft pick in Calgary Flames history. Selected fourth overall in 2014, Bennett was meant to be a future star centre for the Flames and bring a cup to Southern Alberta. Instead, management and the coaching staff severely mishandled his development, ultimately leading to arguably the worst trade in Flames history.

How Calgary bungled Bennett’s development

During his time in Calgary, Bennett was never given a proper chance that any other fourth overall pick would be given. He was buried in the bottom-six, getting barely any minutes, especially towards the end of his tenure in Calgary. Bennett’s most productive season as a member of the Flames was his very first full season. He recorded 36 points—18 goals, 18 assists—through 77 games, all while averaging 15:09 a game. Over the course of his six seasons donning the Flaming C, Bennett had four different coaches. Bob Hartley, Glen Gulutzan, Bill Peters, and Geoff Ward, all of whom didn’t see his value.

None of those four guys allowed Bennett to play his style of hockey. The style that got him to be the fourth overall pick. The style of being in your face, getting under your skin, and making you pay for letting your emotions get the better of you. Instead, with those four coaches, he was forced to conform to a different play style, one that didn’t suit him. He isn’t the player to cycle the puck around, and Flames management never seemed to understand that.

The only coach who would have utilised Bennett properly had that chance for just over a month. On March 4, 2021, Darryl Sutter was brought back to once again be head coach. On April 12, 2021, Sam Bennett was traded to the Florida Panthers in exchange for Emil Heineman and a 2022 second-round pick. The reason as to why Sutter didn’t get the time with him: Bennett wanted out. Through his agent, he requested a trade in early 2021, understandably upset over how he was used.

How Florida took advantage

As soon as Florida Panthers General Manager Bill Zito acquired Bennett, he was given an impact role in Florida’s system. In his first 10 games in Sunrise, Bennett averaged 18 minutes a night. This was a substantial increase from the 13 he was averaging that same season in Calgary. Florida gave him the environment that he needed to succeed. He was allowed to play his pesky game and showcase offensive talent at the same time. In the four seasons that followed, he registered 49, 40, 41, and 51 points, respectively.

Going from being buried and left to rot on the third line to being the pivotal second-line centre. On top of that, he began getting power play minutes, centring the second power play unit. Bennett was always a guy to count on in the important moments. Unfortunately, it wasn’t until he left Calgary that he was actually trusted enough in those moments.

For example, in the 4-Nations, Bennett was put out on the ice down 2–1 to the USA in the gold medal game. He ended up scoring the game-tying goal to send the game to overtime. With that being said, the tale of Sam Bennett is a cautionary one in the Flames organization. They must avoid a similar situation from happening again.