The Calgary Flames trade forward Sam Bennett to the Florida Panthers. The Flames will be receiving a second-round pick and Emil Heineman in return.
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Sam Bennett Traded by Calgary Flames
The Calgary Flames drafted Sam Bennett fourth overall in the 2014 NHL dDaft after scoring 91 points in 56 games that season with the Kingston Frontenacs of the OHL. Bennett played one more season in junior and became a full-time NHL player in 2015. Over the course of his career, Bennett has played in 402 games, scored 67 goals, had 73 assists for 140 points. Bennett’s best season was his rookie year, where he scored 36 points. However, his point totals went up in the playoffs. In 30 playoff games, Bennett has 11 goals and 19 points. He has also finished top five on the Flames in hits every season. His lowest total was 101 hits last year when he played in 52 games.
Bennett’s agent, Darren Farris, made it public on Jan. 30 that Bennett would like to be traded. Bennett has one year left on the contract that pays him $2.55 million a season. However, he is an RFA, so the team acquiring him will still have control past this year.
This season, Bennett has scored two goals and three points in 16 games with a 48.6 Corsi for percentage at even strength.
What this Means for the Future
The Panthers are getting two different types of Sam Bennett. The regular-season version and playoff version. In the regular season, Bennett is an average bottom-six forward. He can score about 25-30 points a year, and be a physical presence. In the playoffs, he looks more like the player who was selected fourth overall. The last two times the Flames made the playoffs, Bennett has led them in scoring. Andrew Berkshire of Sportsnet analyzed why Bennett was better in the playoffs. His conclusion is that Bennett is more ferocious in his compete level, therefore creating more turnovers and giving his line better possession, which has led to more points.
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