Quote:
Originally Posted by YourMother
I feel like he actually hasn’t been put in a great situation to succeed to this point. Forced to play centre which he struggled with very clearly, played primarily with Brouwer last year and this year with two rookies. He had chemistry in the pre-season with Johnny but tonight was the first time we’ve seen that since. Maybe I’m missing something.
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"Forced" to play centre? How memories fade. When Bennett started out here, on wing, posters were apoplectic that he wasn't being used as centre.
As for his linemates, what you are suggesting is that he be gifted top line minutes when he hadn't done anything yet. Both Monahan and Johnny started in the third line and succeeded. Also, if you had put him on the top line, you put him against top defenders. If you play him on Backlund's line, you are giving him heavy defensive responsibility. Putting a young player in a position to succeed usually means putting them on a line that will get lots of offensive zone starts without a top defensive opposition, and without having to play a checking role.
Last year he played with Brouwer, true. But Brouwer was expected to be an offensive contributor. That's not on the coaches and not indicative of not putting Bennett in a position to succeed. This year he was given Jagr and Jankowski. I think the GM and coaches fairly expected more offence from Jagr, and Jankowski is a decent centre who will improve.