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Carolina Hurricanes: 5 players would benefit from a change of scenery in Raleigh

By Andrew Miller

NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 03: Ryan McDonagh #27 of the New York Rangers checks to see if his stick broke after a shot in the second period against the Carolina Hurricanes at Madison Square Garden on December 3, 2016 in New York City. The New York Rangers won 4-2. (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 03: Ryan McDonagh #27 of the New York Rangers checks to see if his stick broke after a shot in the second period against the Carolina Hurricanes at Madison Square Garden on December 3, 2016 in New York City. The New York Rangers won 4-2. (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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RALEIGH, NC – JANUARY 14: Sam Bennett #93 of the Calgary Flames skates for position on the ice during an NHL game against the Carolina Hurricanes on January 14, 2018 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NC – JANUARY 14: Sam Bennett #93 of the Calgary Flames skates for position on the ice during an NHL game against the Carolina Hurricanes on January 14, 2018 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Center. Calgary Flames. 3. player. 112. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Sam Bennett

For the Calgary Flames 21-year-old center Sam Bennett, the flashes are there, but the consistent production is not. Bennett’s most productive season came during his rookie campaign, in 2015-16, where he racked up 18 goals and 18 assists.

Since then, it’s been a struggle for him to even get close to 30 points. And, he played in all but one contest with the Flames last season. Sometimes, it’s just not meant to be with the team you’ve spent your entire professional career with.

This is definitely a risky idea for the Canes. Bennett still carries a lot of value with his name and that also means he’ll command a high price tag. However, Calgary does have a need to fill along the blue line, and Faulk and Hanifin would both be good targets for them to pursue.

With the offensive youth movement that Francis is building, Bennett fits in great with the organization’s future plans. It’s still in recent memory where Calgary selected Bennett with the fourth overall pick of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. There’s still time to tap into that massive ability he could have in his prime years in the league.

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