The Flames entered the 2014 NHL Draft not knowing who would be there. Would it be Sam Reinhart, Leon Draisaitl, or Sam Bennett? Ultimately Reinhart and Draisaitl were selected two and three and the Flames didn't overthink it and took the standout from Kingston. Along with Sean Monahan, it appeared that Bennett would be a terrific one-two centre punch for the Flames for years to come.
Then training camp started. Bennett didn't play the way the Flames had hoped. A medical exam took place and it was determined that the young centreman would need surgery on his shoulder.