Calgary Flames
· 2026-07-02
The Calgary Flames signed defenseman Mike Benning to a one-year, two-way contract on July 1, 2026.
The Flames continue to add depth on defense with this signing.
Benning, 24, made his NHL debut last season with the Florida Panthers.
He put up two goals and four assists for six points in 18 games.
This signing is important for the Flames as they look to improve their defense.
The team is currently 14th in the Western Conference with a 34-39 record.
They are on a W1 streak.
Benning's experience in the NHL and AHL will be valuable to the team.
The Flames will look to integrate Benning into their lineup.
He will join other young defensemen like Simon Nemec, Zayne Parekh, and Hunter Brzustewicz.
The team's defense has been a focus of their offseason additions.
Benning's offensive skills will be an asset to the team's power play.
He can quarterback a power play and create space for himself and others.
The Flames will look to build on their current streak with Benning's help.
Benning was selected by Florida in the fourth round of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft.
He played for the University of Denver, where he had strong offensive numbers.
Over his last two seasons with Denver, he had 28 goals and 44 assists for 72 points.
Benning became a full-time professional in the 2023-24 season.
He registered nine goals and 17 assists for 26 points in 72 games for Charlotte.
In the 2024-25 season, he improved his production with nine goals and 23 assists for 32 points.
The Flames' addition of Benning is a positive step for their defense.
It will be interesting to see how he fits into the team's lineup.
The team's fans will be watching his progress closely.