Quote:
Originally Posted by Bingo
Look at Sam Bennett's 5 on 5 production in each of his three seasons.
Todd Cordel on Sam Bennett 5 on 5
Suggests some bad puck luck for those looking for a reason to see Bennett get back on track this season.
It's one thing to be bad on your own, but at 5.66% that's pretty low by NHL standards for his own activity and that of the players on the ice with him at the time.
Same thing destroyed the Backlund line last year. |
I don't think it's all just bad luck for Bennett. I think his problem is a lack of finishing skills. He has the courage and skill to get to the scoring areas, but when he gets there, his shot release isn't quick enough and the velocity is not fast enough.
I think he needs to spend the Summer working on his shooting. I've always compared Bennett to Kesler, and it was the same situation. Kesler had moderate production the first 3 to 4 years in the NHL, then one year, he developed a one timer and exploded offensively.
The eye test suggests that Bennett can produce offense, it's a lack of finishing ability that is the problem, but this is something he can work on.
It's the same story for Backlund and Frolik, effective players able to generate offense, but lacking the finishing ability. All 3 were sub 7% in shooting percentage.
I don't think it's about luck. It's about skill.
Sidney Crosby recognized that he had a muffin of a shot and worked on it and became a 50 goal scorer. It's all up to Sam Bennett to get better. It's not just going to happen, unless he puts in the work.