Calgary Flames’ GM Brad Treliving was on Sportsnet radio this morning, and spoke at length about the continued negotiations with restricted free agent Sam Bennett. While there was a report yesterday that Bennett and the Flames still had a “sizable gap,” Treliving was very positive that a deal would be done before the start of the season. Bennett isn’t skating in Calgary yet, but Treliving does speak to the importance of getting it done before training camp starts.
Our goal stays the same as it was when the season end. That’s to get Sam signed, and to get him signed prior to us starting [training camp]. History has shown that missing time—or people that don’t get there on time—usually is not a good thing. To get ready for an NHL season is difficult; you’ve got to get the reps, you’ve got to get playing at NHL pace, you’ve gotta get doing it every day prior to the start of the season.
Treliving reiterated that they still have time for the contract to to be signed before training camp starts in just over a week, and that this isn’t that unusual for restricted free agents. There are nine such free agents still unsigned around the league, including Bo Horvat in Vancouver and David Pastrnak in Boston.
It’s clear that there is still a divide between the two camps, but there doesn’t seem to be any animosity brewing. Both sides “want to get something done” and in time for the season. Coming off a disappointing second season in Calgary, Bennett is a tough subject to negotiate on. His potential is still very high and the Flames sunk quite a bit of draft stock into him by picking him fourth-overall in 2014. He’s only scored 63 points at this point in his career, and hasn’t found that offensive breakout just yet.
The Calgary front office should be used to these late negotiations, as Johnny Gaudreau waited until October 10th to sign his contract extension last year. Gaudreau was already going to miss training camp because of his appearance at the World Cup of Hockey, meaning signing just before the season didn’t change much in his preparation. Still, the Flames would like to get this done long before October and get Bennett back on the ice with a team that is poised to compete for the Stanley Cup this season.