Quote:
Originally Posted by Tyler
I'm at the point where I've resigned myself to the fact that we gambled on Bennett being a high-impact player at the #4 spot and lost.
I'm also extremely excited that we lucked out and got Tkachuk, so the Bennett bobble doesn't sting as bad.
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Bennett was the #1 ranked player heading into the draft by NHL Central Scouting. How is that a gamble? There were 4 highly coveted players, and the Flames drafted fourth. Without trading up they were left with whoever was left. It happened to be Bennett. Short of trading the pick, and not selecting the #1 ranked player, they picked the best player available. That's still not a gamble or bobble.
Had they not picked Bennett, who do they pick? Go through the rest of the players picked. Even with hindsight, Bennett is still likely the best player. You could maybe argue taking Dylan Larkin now, but no way could you have taken him at #4 in 2014.
Also, Bennett is 20. Way too early to panic, especially given Backlund's progression timeline. Not every pick is going to translate immediately to a hugely impactful player in the NHL. Tkachuk is an exception, not the rule.