Bennett plays way better on the wing. He's great on the forecheck & low down in the corners. For whatever reason he doesn't get to those areas as much when he's playing centre – perhaps because he has more responsibility for backchecking when playing C.
With Jankowski looking very promising in Stockton I wonder if the team would get the most out of the player by playing him more frequently on the wing.
If Ferland is out for a couple more games why not try Bennett on the 1st line again, with Gaudreau & Monahan? Gaudreau's style would suit being on the off wing, and Bennett's aggression, coupled with his vision and skill, make him an ideal asset to cultivate for that 1st line. He genuinely has 1st-line upside, but with Monahan and Backlund around he's not going to get that icetime playing C.
Next year you could see:
Bennett Monahan Gaudreau
Tkachuk Backlund Frolik
Ferland Jankowski Lazar
Bouma Stajan Brouwer/Chiasson/Hamilton (whoever is still around)
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