I think some in this thread are not giving Bennett enough credit. Penalty issues aside, he has been playing exceptionally well for a 20 y. o. center so far. He's making tons of smart little plays that help the team retain control of the puck, and get it back quickly when it's going in the other direction. He's even impressed me in his limited PK time.
I'm extremely hopeful that he can become that two-way guy for us, that you can always rely on to drive the play up-ice, while also having game-breaking skill and a finishing touch(or high SH%, if you prefer to call it that). Similar to what Backs is doing for us right now, except with more offensive flair.
Quote:
Originally Posted by SOMBRI2
Why didnt you start the thread last year?
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Not OP obviously, but these issues have been visible for a long time. It was just much easier to ignore when Monahan and his line were producing. They were still getting outshot and outchanced in most match-ups, even though Hartley gave them few defensive starts. There were more external factors back then as well, including Hartley's "system", and the fact that Monahan was one year younger. It's all about progression, and it just doesn't seem to be there. Still, as has been said before, he's young and it's still
very early in the Gulutzan era. He may buy in, start doing more of the right things away from the puck. I for one, sure hope he does.