Quote:
Originally Posted by jonkaupp
I feel the reason people are polarized on Bennett aka really sour or really holding on to whatever thread of hope is left, is because he really was/is the key to us being a Stanley Cup contending team. Truth is that if Bennett had lived up to his draft status, which is that of a true No 1 game changing centerman, I think we’d be one of the stronger contenders in the league, not just now but for years to come. I really really hope a new coaching staff can figure him out, or somehow turn Janko into what we hoped Bennett would be, because without that missing piece its going to be tough to win at the highest level. I know its why I feel a bit sour now. 2 years ago, after his rookie season, I thought we were set up beautifully going forward. Thankfully we hit a home run with Tkachuk that gives me hope but if both had hit I think our lineup would be as good as any in the league.
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I disagree with this. Johnny plays a much bigger playmaking role than most wingers. He's capable of driving a first line. The team can contend with him and Monahan as our top line players.
The problem with the Flames was special teams and depth scoring. Frolik and Backlund had off years. Versteeg was injured. And the rest of the bottom six were horrible. The only bright spot in the bottom six was Bennett and jankowski figuring it out, but they didn't do it soon enough or consistently enough.
Teams like Nashville, Boston, and Vegas, who are killing it in the playoffs, just have much better scoring from their depth than we did. Even TB only has only two ppg guys.
With Brouwer, Frolik, Versteeg, and Bennett all scoring 40+ points the results from this team are drastically different.
Throw in the demise is Brodie and Smith's and Monahan's injuries and it's painfully obvious what happened this season.