[GranteedEV]

The most direct comparision I can think of to this situation is Tyler Seguin in 2011. He only had 22 points in 74 games so he wasn't exactly beasting in his limited 3rd line role as a teenage rookie, but then in the playoffs he really provided a little bit extra and that had to have been good for his personal development. The way playoffs are set up where you can really bounce back from poor play through watching tape of your opponent is in many ways a better fit for rookies than for them to face a new opponent every night. Just my opinion.

Does that mean Flames win a cup like the 2011 Bruins? Of course not, we'd be ecstatic to even get to the 2nd round. But you have to give Bennett an opportunity if he's earned it over other guys. You have to give Wolf and Baertschi opportunities too. And if on the ice he doesn't look ready, whether that's physically or mentally, then at least the player himself knows that for sure, for themself.