Quote:
Originally Posted by Oil Stain
Unlikely.
Hopkins hurt his shoulder by toe picking and falling into the boards. That could have just as easily happened in juniors.
RNH was first in the NHL in power play points per 60 in his rookie season. That's like having a high shooting percentage. It was luck. He got lucky and then fans expected him to repeat or improve on 52 points in 62 games.
Taylor Hall came into the NHL with shoulder problems from junior. He had three seasons of increasing point totals despite having shoulder problems from the start and a surgery after season two.
Hall was just better from the start.
Patrick Kane wasn't 180 lbs in his rookie season. Stamkos was maybe 180 lbs. I've read articles suggest he gained 17 pounds to get to 190 so perhaps he was smaller.
There are some good organizational reasons to send Bennett down(save entry level contract, tank for McDavid, etc), and it doesn't hurt to be cautious, but I believe that if Bennett makes the Flames this year his development won't be adversely affected because of a number on a scale.
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It's not just the number on the scale alone though. It's play style too. Bennett plays a mean game that he is way too small to in the NHL. Still possible he makes it this year, but unlikely IMO.