Report: “Sizable gap” in negotiations means NHL player may head overseas

Just weeks from the opening of training camp and the NHL preseason and Calgary Flames forward Sam Bennett remains without a contract for the 2017-18 season. While talks between Bennett and the Flames seemed to be progressing last week, with indications that a deal was imminent, a recent report from TSN analyst and NHL insider Darren Dreger suggests that things have gone south. 

Check it out:

Wow… what happened here? Either Bennett’s demands are outrageous or the Flames are simply playing hard ball with the 21-year old former 4th overall draft pick. Bennett didn’t exactly have a banner season in 2016-17, putting up only 13 goals and 26 points in 81 games. Unfortunately for him, he doesn’t hold much leverage in negotiations. Will he actually make the jump to Europe or the KHL, or will the Flames call his bluff?

Further complicating matters is the fact that the Flames have been linked to UFA Jaromir Jagr for weeks. Are negotiations between the Flames and Jagr affecting things with Bennett or vice versa? Interesting times in Calgary.