Blindsided Sam Bennett insists that he has not demanded a trade

In case you missed the news this past weekend, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman reported that Calgary Flames forward Sam Bennett had formally requested a trade from Flames GM Brad Treliving. Now though a report from Flames insider Eric Francis claims otherwise.

Francis reports that Bennett did NOT formally request a trade from the Flames and that Bennett's agent Darren Ferris was in the wrong for saying his client would like a change of scenery. Francis suggests that Ferris was attempting to get around the Flames' coaching and management staff with his comments.

From Francis' most recent column for Sportsnet:

No one inside the organization is questioning Friedman’s reporting. But everyone is questioning how a certified agent could think this is an appropriate way to try effecting positive change for his client. This isn’t to suggest Bennett isn’t contemplating whether the grass could be greener elsewhere. Clearly his agent didn’t just make this up. It just wasn’t properly communicated to the team.

So... where do we go from here?

Clearly Bennett has value to the Flames and to any other NHL team that might be interested. But, the Flames are really in no position to be dealing away Bennett for peanuts, especially given their up and down start to the season. Then again, they don't need a distraction hanging over their heads either. It'll be interesting to see how Treliving and the Flames' front office staff stickhandle this tricky situation.