I would NOT send Bennet back to junior.
In some ways, that shoulder injury may have been the best thing to happen to him at this point.
He's been up all season with Calgary, watching practices, in the room, doing his rehab and exercises alongside the other guys.
I think he's been folded into the roster and participates day to day with team functions etc.
Based on what we saw in Pre-Season, he's NHL ready in the same way Monahan was. When he is healthy, completely healthy, he should be put into the lineup and given an opportunity to play.
I think to some degree that too much time in a lower league can instill bad habits or tendencies into a player's game. I think Bennett is above Junior now and shouldn't go back. He may not be an every day player on the flames Roster, but he should stay up to soak in the mentality of the locker room and to see first hand what it takes to make it as a full-time NHL'er.
I see how things are progressing with Baertschi and Gaudreau and I think of what a tremendous learning experience this must be for Bennett to be right along there with them but without the added pressure of being forced to play.
Keep him up for the whole year.
|