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Calgary4LIfe · 08-15-2017, 01:54 PM

I think that Bennett will really improve his offensive numbers this year, partly because I think he has gained Gulutzan's trust over the year (his defensive acumen has sharply increased I thought), as well as the Flames' depth this year.

I liked what Chiasson brought, and thought he was a bargain contract, but he had limited upside. He really is a 4th liner, perhaps a third liner. Either way, that is not the type of player I feel that Bennett can really work with.

This year, I think the Flames have a lot of options:

1) Crazy thought, but Gaudreau and Monahan may look good separated. I like how Monahan becomes more involved and starts to push the pace more without Gaudreau. Versteeg - Monahan I felt was a good combination, and playing with Versteeg is when I thought Monahan started turning his season around. Gaudreau and Bennett might look great if given some time to gel.

2) Versteeg. I must say, I had my doubts about Versteeg when the Flames signed him last season. I really believed that it was a signing without much risk due to his cap hit. However, he really surprised me as to how much game he really had, and how effectively he worked with many players. I think he will work well with Bennett.

3) Ferland. He was great on the 1st line, and I feel that is where he will be long-term. I really do believe that he has much more to offer than what we have seen. His consistency is getting to the point where it isn't crazy to think of him as a good solution for the top line. Anyone think it is outrageous he puts in 20 goals this year? I would prefer to keep him up as the #1 RW for now, but I also think that Ferland would look great next to Bennett. They would terrorize defencemen on the forecheck, that's for sure, and would create so much off the cycle or off the rush.

4) Lazar. He has NHL experience, and he plays at Bennett's pace. I really do believe that Bennett could really benefit from playing with someone that can skate like he does. I am betting that Lazar works his way up the line-up this season, and starts making people believe that he is not just a grinder.

5) Jankowski. This is the guy that many people think will supplant Bennett at center. I am good either way - let the best center be the center. I just think that at this point, Bennett should be considered the center for the 3rd line. Flames have already invested a lot of time and patience there, and he has become miles better defensively. Actually, I think Bennett is way better in all 3 zones without the puck. Jankowski has good wheels, great IQ, really great vision/playmaking ability, and has very solid puck-possession with his frame and the way he uses his stick.

6) Foo. I don't think he starts the year in the NHL, but Foo is another guy that can play at Bennett's pace. I think they would work well with one another once he gets his look at the NHL level. He is talented, fast, good at playmaking, plays gritty, and can make stuff happen at high speed (the key ingredient missing in Lombardi's game back in the day).

7) Poirier. Like Foo, Poirier is probably not going to start the season in the NHL. Now that he is 'clean', I do expect a huge bounce-back. People are down on him at the moment, but the entire organization was very high on him before, and he had that 'can't miss' trajectory. AHL All-Star in his rookie pro year. He is fast, tenacious, talented and plays that abrasive way like Bennett does. They compliment on another exceedingly well I think. We have to see how Poirier does this season, but I do bet that he earns a long look in the NHL, and I hope he gets tried-out with Bennett.

8) Tkachuk. A lot of people want this to happen, and I can't say it would be a bad move at all. While I do think that Tkachuk has added a lot to the Backlund line, it has also been obvious that Backlund can make anyone effective. Career year for Bouma (as in entire hockey career all the way through junior!), career year for Colborne, best PPG (IIRC) for Bennett as well. Heck, I think a really good line would be to move Frolik back to the LW, and move Lazar up to the RW. Lazar is gritty and has that ability to force turnovers like Backlund and Frolik do, so that (IMO) would still be a hugely effective line. Tkachuk seems to compliment Bennett a lot in playstyle. He doesn't play at Bennett's pace, but he seemed to always catch the defencemen on the forecheck. I do agree that they would probably look good together, and it wouldn't be weakening the Backlund line too much (Backlund is that good, and Frolik isn't far behind!).

9) Brouwer. Hey, I do think he will have a bounce-back year. I just rather it not be with Bennett. Unlike Tkachuk, he just didn't seem able to forecheck well, or play at a high enough pace. I don't know where to fit Brouwer in at this point, as he doesn't seem to fit any of the lines other than the 4th, and playing off the 4th line isn't going to create a bounce-back. One of the more interesting story lines to follow this year.

Someone posted a link to a Hockey Writer's article about Bennett. I really do think the writer made some valid points, but I also think there were a few big whiffs. For instance, Calgary doesn't use the 3rd line as a checking line. The checking line is Backlund's line. That line just happened to score like a good 2nd line does, that's all. The third line throughout this rebuild thus far - starting under Hartley and seemingly continuing under Gulutzan - I would call the sheltered/development line. I think that is the place for Jankowski, Foo, Poirier, etc., to get their ears wet, and play with Bennett to see if chemistry develops. Hartley had Baertschi - Monahan together, and Monahan really did well (and Baertschi should have had he ever bought-in). With how deep Calgary's defence is now, it also mitigates defensive deficiencies. I think Bennett has greatly improved defensively, and having Versteeg on one side makes it easy to just slot in Jankowski/Foo/Poirier.

I like the Jagr option, however. Jagr I feel could be a great fit either on the 1st line with Monahan and Gaudreau, or on the third line with Bennett and either Versteeg or Jankowski.

Either way, I think it is safe to say that Bennett will see improved line-mates. Maybe they are a bit raw, but they will have more speed and will have more of the offensive acumen that I feel Bennett has lacked in previous line mates.

08-15-2017, 01:54 PM	#285
Calgary4LIfe Franchise Player Join Date: Jun 2010 Exp:	I think that Bennett will really improve his offensive numbers this year, partly because I think he has gained Gulutzan's trust over the year (his defensive acumen has sharply increased I thought), as well as the Flames' depth this year. I liked what Chiasson brought, and thought he was a bargain contract, but he had limited upside. He really is a 4th liner, perhaps a third liner. Either way, that is not the type of player I feel that Bennett can really work with. This year, I think the Flames have a lot of options: 1) Crazy thought, but Gaudreau and Monahan may look good separated. I like how Monahan becomes more involved and starts to push the pace more without Gaudreau. Versteeg - Monahan I felt was a good combination, and playing with Versteeg is when I thought Monahan started turning his season around. Gaudreau and Bennett might look great if given some time to gel. 2) Versteeg. I must say, I had my doubts about Versteeg when the Flames signed him last season. I really believed that it was a signing without much risk due to his cap hit. However, he really surprised me as to how much game he really had, and how effectively he worked with many players. I think he will work well with Bennett. 3) Ferland. He was great on the 1st line, and I feel that is where he will be long-term. I really do believe that he has much more to offer than what we have seen. His consistency is getting to the point where it isn't crazy to think of him as a good solution for the top line. Anyone think it is outrageous he puts in 20 goals this year? I would prefer to keep him up as the #1 RW for now, but I also think that Ferland would look great next to Bennett. They would terrorize defencemen on the forecheck, that's for sure, and would create so much off the cycle or off the rush. 4) Lazar. He has NHL experience, and he plays at Bennett's pace. I really do believe that Bennett could really benefit from playing with someone that can skate like he does. I am betting that Lazar works his way up the line-up this season, and starts making people believe that he is not just a grinder. 5) Jankowski. This is the guy that many people think will supplant Bennett at center. I am good either way - let the best center be the center. I just think that at this point, Bennett should be considered the center for the 3rd line. Flames have already invested a lot of time and patience there, and he has become miles better defensively. Actually, I think Bennett is way better in all 3 zones without the puck. Jankowski has good wheels, great IQ, really great vision/playmaking ability, and has very solid puck-possession with his frame and the way he uses his stick. 6) Foo. I don't think he starts the year in the NHL, but Foo is another guy that can play at Bennett's pace. I think they would work well with one another once he gets his look at the NHL level. He is talented, fast, good at playmaking, plays gritty, and can make stuff happen at high speed (the key ingredient missing in Lombardi's game back in the day). 7) Poirier. Like Foo, Poirier is probably not going to start the season in the NHL. Now that he is 'clean', I do expect a huge bounce-back. People are down on him at the moment, but the entire organization was very high on him before, and he had that 'can't miss' trajectory. AHL All-Star in his rookie pro year. He is fast, tenacious, talented and plays that abrasive way like Bennett does. They compliment on another exceedingly well I think. We have to see how Poirier does this season, but I do bet that he earns a long look in the NHL, and I hope he gets tried-out with Bennett. 8) Tkachuk. A lot of people want this to happen, and I can't say it would be a bad move at all. While I do think that Tkachuk has added a lot to the Backlund line, it has also been obvious that Backlund can make anyone effective. Career year for Bouma (as in entire hockey career all the way through junior!), career year for Colborne, best PPG (IIRC) for Bennett as well. Heck, I think a really good line would be to move Frolik back to the LW, and move Lazar up to the RW. Lazar is gritty and has that ability to force turnovers like Backlund and Frolik do, so that (IMO) would still be a hugely effective line. Tkachuk seems to compliment Bennett a lot in playstyle. He doesn't play at Bennett's pace, but he seemed to always catch the defencemen on the forecheck. I do agree that they would probably look good together, and it wouldn't be weakening the Backlund line too much (Backlund is that good, and Frolik isn't far behind!). 9) Brouwer. Hey, I do think he will have a bounce-back year. I just rather it not be with Bennett. Unlike Tkachuk, he just didn't seem able to forecheck well, or play at a high enough pace. I don't know where to fit Brouwer in at this point, as he doesn't seem to fit any of the lines other than the 4th, and playing off the 4th line isn't going to create a bounce-back. One of the more interesting story lines to follow this year. Someone posted a link to a Hockey Writer's article about Bennett. I really do think the writer made some valid points, but I also think there were a few big whiffs. For instance, Calgary doesn't use the 3rd line as a checking line. The checking line is Backlund's line. That line just happened to score like a good 2nd line does, that's all. The third line throughout this rebuild thus far - starting under Hartley and seemingly continuing under Gulutzan - I would call the sheltered/development line. I think that is the place for Jankowski, Foo, Poirier, etc., to get their ears wet, and play with Bennett to see if chemistry develops. Hartley had Baertschi - Monahan together, and Monahan really did well (and Baertschi should have had he ever bought-in). With how deep Calgary's defence is now, it also mitigates defensive deficiencies. I think Bennett has greatly improved defensively, and having Versteeg on one side makes it easy to just slot in Jankowski/Foo/Poirier. I like the Jagr option, however. Jagr I feel could be a great fit either on the 1st line with Monahan and Gaudreau, or on the third line with Bennett and either Versteeg or Jankowski. Either way, I think it is safe to say that Bennett will see improved line-mates. Maybe they are a bit raw, but they will have more speed and will have more of the offensive acumen that I feel Bennett has lacked in previous line mates.