Quote:
Originally Posted by Racki
I just don't know what to expect. I have such a lack of confidence in this coaching staff. It seems like such a no brainer to move Bennett to the wing (preferably with Johnny and Monny) and bring Jankowski up to the big club. Why are we not putting our best possible lineup on the ice every night?
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There is a perfectly valid reason why not.
Centers are worth a ton more than wingers. If you permanently move Bennett to the wing, you are tanking his value as an asset.
If Bennett can stick as a Center, that is a far greater benefit to the club long term than if he is only a winger. The organization also has zero prospect depth up the middle beyond Jankowski.
Between those two things, you give Bennett every opportunity to be a high quality center. If he can't cut it there by the mid/late season, then you move him to the wing full time and he'll be just fine. In that scenario, it then becomes vital to keep Backlund (not that you wouldn't anyway), and you would then need Jankowski to be good from the get go as a C. That too is likely but it's still a question mark.
By the time the playoffs roll around, I would frankly be surprised if Janko isn't on the roster in some capacity barring injury.
We just have to wait and see how players respond. Just like we did in camp with all the winger prospects before signing Jagr. Unfortunately that takes time.