Quote:
Originally Posted by Enoch Root
I have made the comparison to Clarke as well. I can't believe people would dismiss a comparison, simply due to a single event. Do you people not understand that a comparison doesn't mean he will have EXACTLY THE SAME CAREER, INCLUDING EVERY INDIVIDUAL INCIDENT? A comparison simply means they are similar type players.
And IMO, Bennett reminds me a LOT of Clarke. Tenacious, fearless, and absolutely DRIVEN to win. That is how I remember Clarke - not one single incident during the war-on-ice Summit Series. Clarke was a great hockey player. But what made him exceptional, what got his name on the Cup twice, was a single-minded determination to win. And Bennett has that same quality as much as anyone I can think of since.
Another guy that had that quality was Forsberg - great call, 868904! I am not sure that he is as good of a comparison, as Forsberg had incredible strength and an unreal ability to control the puck along the boards. But with respect to determination and an unrelenting refusal to quit, I think Clarke and Forsberg are excellent comparisons.
If Bennett can elevate his skills at the NHL level to be anything even remotely close to those two, Calgary fans are in for a treat. But one thing is for sure, he has their fire.
|
I have a lot of respect for Clarke as a player. But he was not just an edgy player or even a little dirty. he was a lot dirty. I remember him spearing a guy for no reason off at the faceoff. Before the puck dropped. Thinking back, he must ahve been waved out of the dot because he was staniding on the wing.
But don't get the wrong impression - if Bennett turns out to be Clarke or Forsberg or Richard in a combniination of skill and nastyness, I'm very OK with that. It's not like he will break a guys leg with a slash (that has to be hard to do) or take the cheap shots Clarke used to.