Flames Sam Bennett Comments on 'Surprise Scratch'

Sam Bennett of the Calgary Flames isn't used to having his name all over NHL headlines but a recent trade request has certainly changed that. While Bennett may be getting used to seeing his name all over the media, he's not used to seeing his name pencilled in on a taxi-squad. 

That hard reality set in for Bennett this week after his coach scratched him on Thursday night against the Winnipeg Jets.

The 24-year-old Bennett chatted with reporters on Friday and had this to say about being scratched from the lineup:

I didn't see it coming. I walked in and I was on the taxi squad and not dressing with the team, not skating with the team. Obviously you want to be out there and help your team win. I think I can help this team, I can bring a lot to contribute. And it's frustrating to not be out there on the ice.

My job right now is just to play hockey and do my job. I think I'm just going to leave everything else to them and they're going to figure it out. I don't even think about it when it comes to playing hockey. I think as soon as it's game time, as soon as you start getting ready for the game, all that stuff disappears and you focus on what you can do to help the team win.

Bennett is off to a horrendous start with only one assists and a minus five in nine games. Coming off a solid playoff performance, Bennett was hoping to stick as the Flames #3 center to start this season, but the team has other ideas. 

Bennett doesn't know if he will be in the lineup on Friday night when the Flames take on the Edmonton Oilers. The future is certainly unclear for the former first round pick in Calgary. 

Photo credit:  Brett Holmes/Icon Sportswire