Flames’ Bennett reaping benefits of his well-rounded game

NHL-Flames-Sam-Bennett-shoots-against-Blue

Calgary Flames' Sam Bennett, right, gets off a shot against the St. Louis Blues. (Billy Hurst/AP)

Sam Bennett had to wonder if it was the beginning of the end of his time in Calgary.

So he asked.

Beginning a contract year with a new coaching staff and plenty of competition at his position, his opening night assignment amounted to a tad shy of nine minutes.

Three nights later it was down to 7:01 as a resident of the fourth line.

"Those were the lowest ice times I’ve ever had in my life," said Bennett of an early-October assignment unbecoming of a fourth overall pick four years earlier.

"It was definitely a tough experience and I knew it wouldn’t stay like that – it was just a matter of battling through and waiting for my chance."

Still, as optimistic as Bennett has always been, he questioned whether it was a sign of things to come.

"I wasn’t sure at first, but I went and talked to them about it to see and I think I’m happy the way it’s gone now for me."

Fast-forward a week and Bennett is riding high as one of the game stars in the Flames’ dramatic 3-2 overtime win Saturday in Colorado.

Capping off a three-game roadie in which Bennett emerged as one of the Flames best players, the left winger displayed exactly why management has wasted very little time debating a possible trade.

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Early in the second period of a game the Flames trailed 2-0 less than three minutes in, Bennett laid a big hit on J.T. Compher that fueled a momentum swing the Flames rode for the final 40 minutes.

Minutes later the 22-year-old scored his, well, first official goal of the campaign.

"He scored his third one – the first one that actually counted," laughed coach Bill Peters, alluding to the two disallowed goals the hard-luck left winger had whistled back this season.

"Good to see him back on the board. He did a good job driving the middle and Backs (Mikael Backlund) made a good play shooting for a rebound."

Driving the middle and laying out opponents has never been something Bennett has been short on.

Points are another story.

However, what has kept Bennett around despite declining goal totals the last two seasons (13 to 11) is his ability to play different roles.

That ability has not been lost on the new coach, who has steadily increased Bennett’s ice time the last three games from 13 to 15 minutes, including a game in St. Louis where Bennett’s dandy drive to the net set up James Neal’s first of the year to open the scoring.

"He’s been good – he’s been physical on the forecheck," said Peters.

"His attention to detail and system play has been really good and his effort has been obviously good from Day 1.

Good to see guys that are doing it right, working hard and getting rewarded."

His reward Saturday from the second period onward was a second-line gig alongside James Neal and Backlund, with whom Bennett played his rookie season when he scored a career-high 18 goals.

It’s hard to say where he’ll line up next, as a maintenance day for Sean Monahan and Backlund Monday had the lines in a blender – something Peters said he’d rather not do moving forward.

"Every year is a big year to determine your future – it’s not like you can take a year off no matter how long your contract is," said Bennett, a soon-to-be restricted free agent, wrapping a two-year deal worth $1.95 annually.

"But this is a very big one to prove my worth."

It’s anyone’s guess what his worth will be contract-wise, as plenty will be determined by his play and point production this year.

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Flames fans have long been frustrated the kid who scored 137 points in 79 games his last two seasons in Kingston has yet to eclipse the 36-point mark as a pro.

Breakouts often feel imminent.

In hindsight, there’s little doubt he would have benefitted from the ice time and confidence boost the AHL could have provided him years earlier. That’s no longer an option as such a move would prompt him to be snapped up instantly on waivers.

It has been well documented plenty of teams around the league would love to sink their teeth into a 6-foot-1, 195-pound lad with upside and versatility like Bennett.

Though fans groan over his questionable penalties or his struggles to produce offensively, they are reminded of the eight goals in five games he scored midway through his rookie season, not to mention his inspired play during his two playoff campaigns.

His upside is sky high.

"He’s getting goals waved off and things aren’t happening and that can really affect a guy, but he really dug deep and was finally rewarded," said captain Mark Giordano.

"He’s got it all man. You see the skill and the ability but he’s a gritty guy and he’s tough – he’s undercover tough in this league, to be honest.

"He gets into the forecheck and then in practice too you feel him one-on-one he’s a heavy guy.

"We forget sometimes how young he is because he’s played so much in his career but he’s coming into it here and it looks like he’s going to take that next step this year."

Many have felt that way before, yet Bennett is working on maintaining an even-keel.

"The line generated a lot of chances and I feel good right now," said Bennett, whose confidence has waned through back-to-back 26-point seasons.

"I think when I get involved in the game early, whether it’s playing physical or driving the net, that’s when I’m feeling my best and playing with the most confidence.

"(The 3-2 OT win in Colorado) is massive. We all knew how big that game was, to come back and to never quit. We definitely didn’t have the start we wanted but I think in the second and third we really outplayed them and really got back to our game."

A game Bennett has been hoping – and threatening – to tap into more often.

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