Honestly, I like Bennetts game the way it is today. As he thickens out with age he will just get increasingly more annoying to play against. Obviously, I believe he improves with time. But he doesn't avoid the dirty areas and he has skill. If he is this player for the rest of his career I'll be happy. Not ideal for a 4th overall, but still an effective NHLer. And he isn't going to get paid based on potential growth so he will just be a long term, middle role player with a decent contract. I also don't think that potential growth adds much value to a trade for him as he stands today.
So why not just stick it out, with this kid who doesn't back down, is an effective NHL player at age 20, and legitimately wanted to be drafted here and play here?
If your argument is you don't think he's an NHLer for some reason, then he has pretty minimal trade value. I would listen to an argument to trading almost every other asset the Flames have before Bennett. It just doesn't make sense to me.
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