Quote:
Originally Posted by Flaming Homer
I think it’s time to accept that Bennett is going to be an minimally offensive player. If that makes him a “bust” in peoples eyes I guess so but I still think he can be effective in a 4th line checking role. I don’t see much else from him at this point he handles the puck like a grenade except for brief flashes of skill and his coordination and body placement on the once always seems to be out of synche with where he needs to be. Maybe the pressure to perform has gotten to him and just letting him plug away in a role that he is at least good at may bring back what we thought we had when we drafted him. Not every draft pick is a homerun and at least he’s an effective roster player, we’ve done a lot worse in the first round.
|
I don’t understand why 2 games into a season where he is 22 is the time to accept that he is not going to score more than he has shown in the past. Writing him off as a 4th liner just doesn’t make sense. Let’s trade him for a 3rd so we can get Mangiapane, Foo, Klimchuk or other players the same age or older who have not made the NHL yet a chance because they have more upside?
I get that being a 4th overall pick raises expectations and speeds up timelines on players but maybe Bennett needs more time to develop? I just think it is silly to write him off 2 games into a new coaching staff. He scored 18 and 36 under Hartley and struggled under one of the worst head coaches the Flames had in a long time. Let’s give him at least 20 games with Peters before writing him off.
I am happy he is getting a chance with Neal who could be a great winger to add to his line.