[dustygoon]

Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan

Back to Bennett for a minute, I knew people would freak out if he was put back on the wing, especially if it wasn't on one of the top 2 lines. However, there are some things that need to be pointed out:

1) Bennett has played pretty poorly at center all year long, but it's been really bad in the last 4 games (all losses). He didn't put up a single point, had 3 shots on net over 4 games, and was a collective -5 (not one game was he even or on the positive side). He is struggling badly right now, and they need him to get some confidence in his game. Putting Bennett on the wing lessens his defensive responsibilities and allows him to be aggressive, where he's at his best.

2) Bennett was much more effective at wing last year than at center. That doesn't mean he can't play center, but perhaps it needs to happen later on. Look at Galchenyuk in Montreal. IIRC, he only started playing center last season, his 4th in the NHL. It's ok if Bennett takes some time to develop at center since we have some veterans to fill in the gaps for now (Backlund, Stajan).

3) If Bennett moves forward as a winger, would that really be so terrible? Honestly, if he's a better player and contributes to the team in a more positive way on the wing, why do we care? It's not like he's the only guy to play center in his junior career, only to play wing in the NHL. It's not even a knock on him either. Perhaps his aggressive game is more suited to the wing anyways.

Honestly, Glen seems damned if he does and damned if he doesn't here. The team is doing terribly right now. There are two options:

1) Stick with the same guys and the same combinations. People would be screaming at him to change something since things aren't working.

2) Change things up and move guys around in the lineup until you find a winning combination. People are screaming at him for disrupting chemistry and hindering development. What chemistry? What development?

When things are going poorly, you do as many different things you can think of to get something positive happening. I don't fault Gulutzan in any way for trying different things.

Christ, I know it's not gone well so far, but give the guy a chance to do his job, will ya?

I hear you. But if you change things up....and they win, then what next? Keep Bennett on Stajan's wing to work some "give and goes" with Chiasson for a few more games? Comedy. Its not a sustainable line combo.