Quote:
Originally Posted by MarkGio
Im not that worried about it, and I understand why management want him as a centre. Here's our current center depth:
-- Backlund (#1 Centre)
-- Monahan (Struggling #2 Centre)
-- Bennett (developing center/#3 center)
-- Stajan (4th line)
-- Jankowski (center prospect)
After that it's bone dry. To win in this league you need a 1-2 punch and good centre depth.
For the first year, Backlund is a legit #1 centre in this league. His 2nd year campaign was worse than Bennett's. Hell, offensively Backlund's 5th & 6th year wasn't much better than Bennett's current. Right now there's no panick to decide Bennett's fate one way or the other, however, without him in the center rotation there's a panick to draft and obtain centre depth, much unlike to the overabundance and easy-to-obtain winger depth the Flames have.
If Bennett and Monahan continue to struggle next season, then there's cause for worry. This is their first coaching and system change at the NHL level, and Bennett's first position change. And we're winning games and both guys are putting up some points. Just wait it out.
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Good points especially the reference to Backlunds struggles which included some unfortunate injuries. BT has emphasized that the burden is not on one player to be the hero or savior for the team and it seams even with Johnny and Monahan that there is more emphasis on playing as a five man unit. We still see the occasional individual efforts but more focus seems to be on team play which is why I think Bennett is still struggling. The Backlund, Tkachuk, Frolic line seem to have this figured out and play a very strong game as a unit. Now if we could just get the other lines to play the same way consistently it could give some other teams nightmares! The fact that Tkachuk is so unselfish and complements the other 2 is probably a big component in what drives that line.