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Calgary4LIfe · 10-17-2017, 03:42 PM

I preferred Reinhart at the draft, and it had everything to do with his IQ and strong 2-way play.

However, I keep Bennett. Reinhart has not set the world on fire as a center, and I do believe that right now Bennett would mirror Reinhart's stat sheet if he was transitioned to wing. Bennett has jumped from "horrible in his own end" to "becoming so good that sometimes Gulutzan buries him with defensive zone starts". That's a HUGE jump.

Add the fact that he provides one element that Reinhart doesn't - really good speed. Add another element that Reinhart doesn't - nasty physical play at times.

I think that Bennett's transition into the NHL has been slow only when it comes to his offence. I think he has done a heck of a job developing his defensive game (which was really non-existent - to say he had junior-level defensive ability would have been a compliment). I still think the Flames should keep him at center, and I would bet that he breaks out eventually. If he simply doesn't, then the Flames can transition him to the wing, and move Jankowski up as the 3rd line center and have a nice cheap long-term solution.

I would gamble that Sam Bennett is as capable defensively as RNH right now too. I don't see some uptick in RNH's offensive ability. He has been in the NHL for a long period of time while having superior offensive wingers. Whatever the Oilers did to him, I have no idea, but that kid no longer has that game-changing ability he once had. He is too soft to be a defensive center. I doubt I make that trade at even dollars right now, considering that I think Bennett makes for a much stronger 3rd line center given what we have seen already. At their respective contracts? No, there is no way in H E double hockey sticks that I make that trade.

If Bennett doesn't turn into that PPG 1st line franchise-level center that many of us expected, that's ok. He brings in a lot of other value to this team - he is incredibly difficult to play against, he is developing his defensive game at a much faster rate than Backlund did at their respective ages and experience levels, and there is without question at least SOME room for him to grow his offensive game, even if it is a less than expected level.

Personally, I just think we need to be patient, and I am glad that the organization is being patient with him. No two prospects develop exactly alike. Bennett has shown progression every year if you actually watch the games and not just stat-watch - I think anyone making a ridiculous declaration that he hasn't progressed is either a stat watcher or incredibly dense.

So happy the Flames are showing Bennett some patience. I would say it is working out so far.

10-17-2017, 03:42 PM	#3219
Calgary4LIfe Franchise Player Join Date: Jun 2010 Exp:	I preferred Reinhart at the draft, and it had everything to do with his IQ and strong 2-way play. However, I keep Bennett. Reinhart has not set the world on fire as a center, and I do believe that right now Bennett would mirror Reinhart's stat sheet if he was transitioned to wing. Bennett has jumped from "horrible in his own end" to "becoming so good that sometimes Gulutzan buries him with defensive zone starts". That's a HUGE jump. Add the fact that he provides one element that Reinhart doesn't - really good speed. Add another element that Reinhart doesn't - nasty physical play at times. I think that Bennett's transition into the NHL has been slow only when it comes to his offence. I think he has done a heck of a job developing his defensive game (which was really non-existent - to say he had junior-level defensive ability would have been a compliment). I still think the Flames should keep him at center, and I would bet that he breaks out eventually. If he simply doesn't, then the Flames can transition him to the wing, and move Jankowski up as the 3rd line center and have a nice cheap long-term solution. I would gamble that Sam Bennett is as capable defensively as RNH right now too. I don't see some uptick in RNH's offensive ability. He has been in the NHL for a long period of time while having superior offensive wingers. Whatever the Oilers did to him, I have no idea, but that kid no longer has that game-changing ability he once had. He is too soft to be a defensive center. I doubt I make that trade at even dollars right now, considering that I think Bennett makes for a much stronger 3rd line center given what we have seen already. At their respective contracts? No, there is no way in H E double hockey sticks that I make that trade. If Bennett doesn't turn into that PPG 1st line franchise-level center that many of us expected, that's ok. He brings in a lot of other value to this team - he is incredibly difficult to play against, he is developing his defensive game at a much faster rate than Backlund did at their respective ages and experience levels, and there is without question at least SOME room for him to grow his offensive game, even if it is a less than expected level. Personally, I just think we need to be patient, and I am glad that the organization is being patient with him. No two prospects develop exactly alike. Bennett has shown progression every year if you actually watch the games and not just stat-watch - I think anyone making a ridiculous declaration that he hasn't progressed is either a stat watcher or incredibly dense. So happy the Flames are showing Bennett some patience. I would say it is working out so far.