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Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher
Well I think he does look better on the wing. Jankowki is the more likely bet to be a 2nd line centre.
I just don't think you can write off skilled guys like him. His skill hasn't evaporated. So much of hockey is the mental game. Confidence and doubt play such a huge role for young players. Consistency is a struggle. With his skill set its hard to put a ceiling if he gets some confidence going and makes a few adjustments. He's a streaky player and some players play their best when they aren't overthinking things and just playing and reacting.
I agree with a lot of what Loubardias said about Bennett yesterday. He needs to relax and start having fun with hockey and just play his best game on a consistent basis.
You are judging him on how he looks now and that's fair. But young players sometimes take giant strides forward in their game. IMO its far too early to say he can only be this or that. Lots of young players aren't even in the NHL yet at his age. Jankowski was still in college at Bennett's age. I get that people expect 4th overall picks to get there faster but its not necessarily how fast you get there, but that you get there in the end.
Bennett has the tools to be a top two line player in the NHL. He may still put it together. I think its far too early to write him off. Was Giordano a fully developed player at 21? Nope. Was Pronger? Nope. Was Hedman? Nope. Was Bertuzzi? Nope. Was Brodie? Nope. Was Backlund? Nope. Were the Sedins? Nope, they didn't hit 50+ points til like 5 years after being drafted. We could literally go on forever with examples of guys like that even though I know some people will nitpick every example and tell me Bennett isn't exactly like that guy or that guy. Every player is unique. I'm just trying to point out some players that continued to improve and develop past Bennett's age.
People expect Bennett to be further ahead because frankly we've been spoiled with how NHL ready Monahan and Tkackuk were at an early age. If you look at the entirety of young players and how they develop guys like Monahan and Tkachuk are the exceptions not the norm.
There's still time for Bennett to take some big strides forward. I know its hard to have patience with young players especially when their development seemingly regresses. Its easy to write off guys like Lazar and Bennett and think they'll never improve. Believe what you will but I still see some untapped skill and potential in both.
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Oh I am fully aware that guys can start to figure things out at different stages of their careers, but what i am saying with Bennett is i dont see anything skill wise to suggest top 6 winger, and certainly not at C. He does not think the game particularly well, he isnt a great skater though he is adequate, and more than anything with him is how easily he is knocked off the puck, and apparently off his game.
At least with the majority of your examples, there was always something there and it was tangible...obvious there was more. With Bennett I dont see it (hence why i said i must be in the minority as you are not alone in your assessment). On top of that is his discipline issues on the ice, which I have found through many years of watching this game, is an indication of how the rest of your game goes. If you cannot take the simple step of eliminating dumb penalties repeatedly, you generally arent going to improve elsewhere.
I hope I am dead wrong on him and he lives up to his ceiling and his draft position...Im afraid i have seen nothing to indicate that in 3 NHL seasons though.