You don't showcase a player for a game or two before the trade deadline, unless there were question marks about an injury to an ankle or something with question marks surrounding if that player can still skate fast or not.
It seems that the Flames have no desire to move Bennett. I 100% agree with that.
As for why Bennett was on the top line - that line has been flat. I think Ferland has still been good on that line, as he has made good plays for the most part, and has been noticeably strong on defence, but it just needed a shake-up.
I am ok with putting Bennett up there for a while, but what this team needs is to find chemistry on that third line. Bennett and Jankowski are fine. Hathaway is not a fit there. Jagr was a great fit until he got hobbled by his injury. They just really need to find someone to balance that line. If only Poirier worked out - his speed and apparent skill/tenacity would have complimented Bennett tremendously and would have driven defencemen nuts with their forechecking. You still have options down the pipe with a guy like Mangiapane, Klimchuk, Foo, Phillips, Dube, etc.,. However, it would be nice to have that now.
Either way, I think it would be an organizational mistake to trade Bennett. Ideally you want to find someone to compliment Bennett, not replace him. Give him some time, and I am positive some tunes will change on this board when it comes to him.
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