Flames re-sign Sam Bennett to two-year deal

The offseason grocery list is done, and we can now live stress free: the Flames have re-signed Sam Bennett, the final RFA of the 2017 offseason, to a two-year, $1.95M AAV contract.

Although the highest ever pick in Flames history, Bennett has yet to live up to the hype. His first NHL season was derailed by shoulder surgery, his second featured him playing on the wing, and his third was filled with struggles.

There have been many times that Bennett has shown flashes of brilliance, but there are still many doubts. With this deal, the Flames give him a bit more time to prove himself and grow while keeping the dollar amount low. Though they take the risk of having to shell out major bucks in two years’ time when Bennett is arbitration eligible, this is a great deal for the time being.

The center is taking a very, very team-friendly deal. Headed into the season, the Flames will have $5.2M in cap room left with two forward spots and a defender spot still open. While those all could be solved by the cheap depth available in Stockton (many have already penciled them in), the Flames do retain the option of signing a UFA or two looking for a job. We have a name in mind already.