Quote:
Originally Posted by Textcritic
If Bennett is good enough to play, and shows that he belongs in the NHL, then he should be playing in the NHL. It is just that simple.
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It's never that simple though, because you have to consider the situational context as well.
If Bennett plays, someone else can't. When this team is healthy, we have too many forwards as is...so who sits out to make room for Bennett? Do you sit out a center like Colborne or Backlund? Do you now stunt the development of a guy like Granlund because he doesn't get in the lineup as often? He's shown he's good enough to play in the NHL, yet he isn't always making the roster either. What about Baertschi?
We're lucky in that we have the prospect depth to be patient with our players. This year, we can give ourselves the breathing space and focus on more mature prospects like Granlund, Baertschi, Ferland, to see how they fit in long-term. Next year, Bennett and Poirier enter the conversation. If anything, Poirier has done things much more deserving of a callup than a few good preseason games, yet there doesnt seem to be any debate around him.
Bennett's time will come. Yes, he might technically be able to play a regular game (if not necessarily succeed), and even be strong/developed enough (which personally I doubt), but from an organization perspective, for him to be in the lineup is by no means a priority...and in some ways, detrimental to others.