Quote:
Originally Posted by Darkknight
Just for comparison sake, I looked at Monahan's first season in the league on the NHL stats page. I'm not sure if there is a way to check his linemates or average toi but I have a hard time imagining his linemates that season are any better than what Bennett is playing with now. I just don't think Bennett is able to adjust his game to the NHL. He doesn't use his linemates well and it feels like he's hesitating nearly every play. I hope that he's young enough to learn to use his talents in the NHL, but to say he has constantly been saddled with bad linemates is ignoring the fact that he doesn't seem to be able to drive an offence himself.
|
Monahan played 1st unit PP with Cammy, Gio, and Hudler, if memory serves.
Monahan also played very, very sheltered minutes in his rookie season - meanwhile Bennett did not in either his rookie season or his 1st season as a centre.
“Doesn’t use his linemates well” well, he has never had good linemates as has always had to be the key cog on his line. Sorry - but Monahan was never asked to do that, and I challenge you to find a player of Bennett’s age playing Bennett’s position with Bennett’s quality of teammates. You can’t.
Jagr is going to be a huge, huge help to Bennett - who until now, has effectively played spare pieces or absolute anchors who dragged him to the bottom of the ocean.