According to Darren Dreger, the Calgary Flames have made their first signing of free agency. They have signed 24-year-old defenceman Mike Benning to a two-way contract for one-year with an AAV of 850k.
A very solid depth signing
Benning is a former 4th-round pick selected by the Florida Panthers in the 2020 NHL draft. Spending the last 3 years developing with their AHL team, the Charlotte Checkers. Benning put up a decent 31 points in 57 games last season and received a call-up amid the Panthers’ injuries. During the call-up, he suited up for 18 games and produced 6 points. In the final game of the year, he scored his first two NHL goals.
Although he’s not very big, listed at 5’9″, 176lbs, Benning provides some solid offence in a depth role. The right side of the defence is pretty backed up, so Benning will likely spend most of his time with the Wranglers in the AHL. I’d expect him to play on one of the first two pairs and quarterback the top power play unit. If injuries arrive for the Flames, he’s also good offensive insurance on the blueline.
Free agency won’t be a busy time for the Flames this offseason, but depth moves like Benning are incredibly solid for the state of the team.
