Flames Bench Sam Bennett, Trade Likely Imminent

The Calgary Flames are getting sick and tired of hearing about Sam Bennett. General manager Brad Treliving met with the media on Friday and made one thing clear, the Flames hold all control in any Bennett trade. 

Treliving had this to say on The Fan 960:

Sam's agent decided to have a conversation with the media in talking about changes of scenery and all that. We'll determine - whether it be Sam Bennett or anybody else - what their scenery is and when it's going to change, and until such time, Sam is a member of the Calgary Flames and he's like every other member of the Calgary Flames.

We think Sam's a hell of a player, and we expect him to be a real good player here, and we'll go from there.

While Treliving was saying all the right things, it all took a turn for the worse on Friday night against the Edmonton Oilers. The Flames lost 2-1 to their Alberta rivals and Bennett only played six-and-a-half minutes and never saw a shift in the third period.

Coach Geoff Ward would not comment on the matter after the game.

"We'll keep that internal," Geoff Ward on why Sam Bennett's ice time was limited for the #Flames tonight.

— Hailey Salvian (@hailey_salvian) February 20, 2021

So far this season the 24-year-old former 4th overall pick has two goals and one assist in 16 games. The latest spotlight and benching has certainly sparked the conversations. Expect to see Bennett dealt sooner than later, but one thing's for sure, the Flames are only pulling the trigger when they get the return they want.

Photo credit:  Derek Cain/Icon Sportswire