Quote:
Originally Posted by Jay Random
What I'm seeing here is a bunch of posters saying he should not be playing centre at all and is too dumb to be offensively productive at the NHL level. That's not tempering expectations, that's shooting them out the window with a cannon.
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Okay if people are saying that then they are overreacting. From my perspective, the long-term development of Bennett as a center is less of a priority than icing the best possible team right now. Monahan is only 23 and is signed long term. It is probable that the Flames will keep Backlund in the fold. Jankowski is 23 too and looks like he's going to be a top 9 C, if not a top 6 C.
On the other hand, the Flames D-core is probably at its peak right now. Giordano is still playing at a very high level and hopefully Brodie can continue his excellent play for a while. But Gio is fairly old and I'd rather the Flames treat the current and near future with urgency.
Rather than stubbornly force a player who struggled last year and is struggling again this year to produce as a center, I think they should shift him back to the wing where he has produced more and would play would more skilled linemates. The other benefit to doing this would be to open up a spot for a center in the top 3 and slide Jankowski in there. He should be on the team right now as we have heard that from the GM, the coach, and the vast majority of fans.
I don't think that the third line is any worse at all with Jankowski at center than they are with Bennett there. On the other hand, I think that Bennett would be a better top 9 winger than Ferland or Lazar, so there might be an actual improvement to the squad if they try it out.
I'm a Bennett fan and I still believe he will be a good top 6 forward. I just think they are too invested in him developing as a center.