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Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher
That's not really how it works. Backlund went lower in part because of an injury in his draft year I believe. And just because a player is drafted high does not mean they're expected to peak early. Wheeler for example was a project pick drafted top 5 out of high school kind of like Jankowski.
The other thing that seems to be constantly overlooked is that Bennett missed almost his entire post draft year due to shoulder surgery and thus is a year behind in development. Also a reason that Bennett hasn't produced as much is he hasn't been gifted top two line ice time early in his career nor was he getting much PP time in his first couple seasons.
There are legitimate reasons why Bennett to this point hasn't produced. Not excuses, reasons. This year Bennett will be expected to take a step forward but the season has only just begun so those who are out of patience with him obviously have no patience.
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Is it not time to gift him top 2 line offensive opportunity now? Points aside, I honestly can't tell if Bennett looks any different from the player he was last year.
I do believe there's skill there but it seems completely untapped, and having him center a 3rd line hasn't looked like it's a recipe for success in progressing his game thus far.