Quote:
Originally Posted by sa226
I think Bennett is in the perfect spot right now.
I was hoping that this would be his break out year, but I guess he needs a little more seasoning. Which is just fine.
The best thing that could have happened, did. The ascension of the Backlund line. Going in to the season, it looked like they needed Bennett to grab the reigns as tbe second line centre, but its now clear that he wasn't quite ready. Instead, he has been allowed to learn the center ice position with less pressure to perform offensively.
We kind of got teased with his performance in the playoffs, and expectations were sky high. Its in a way similar to Iginlas early career development. Remember after Iginlas impressive rookie season? He scored 13 goals and was deployed at times on the 4th line. We all know how that turned out.
Bennett doesn't need better linemates, he doesn't need to be shifted to the wing and he's not going to get traded. He needs to be right where he is.
I still firmly believe that he will be the Flames best forward in due course.
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Agreed. Some guys like Backlund have had to earn their way even though he has always been considered to be offensively gifted. Backlund did this without complaining, while quietly becoming one of the best 2 way players in the game. Stajan is another guy who never complains but is a consummate team guy he puts the team first and goes out and does his job. Coach has probably told Bennett he knows he can score but that he needs him to fill a role on the team,
and that his time will come when he is needed to step up and be that guy. That is pretty much how it was for Backlund. Not much worry about Bennett the coaches have a short and long term plan so Bennett is just fine where he is. No pressure he just has to do the job expected of him.