Quote:
Originally Posted by DeluxeMoustache
This is something you are steadfast on and man, could we not disagree more. Gulutzan took a guy who needed coaching and failed him.
I have documented elsewhere Bennett’s and Monahan’s Year 1, and subsequent line mates.
The top line is the top line. They dragged Ferland along.
Tkachuk played well with the same linemates that Bennett had in year 1. Bennett stalled with Bollig, Hathaway, etc.
Also have discussed the number of players that were flat or worse under GG - for example on D - Hamilton, Gio, Brodie
The team as a whole did way, way worse, and very few players, even if they did well, did better.
The coach decides the linenates, minutes, and situation a player is put in. Damn right you can point at a coach for a mishandled player underachieving.
Unless Bennett wrestled the lineup card and crayon out of Gulutzan’s hand, he wasn’t going to be given a good opportunity.
|
The biggest single factor that attributed to Sam Bennett’s struggles in his sophomore season vs his rookie season was that he wasn’t bumped up by Mikeal Backlund anymore, not the coach IMO. Backlund has shown a history in proping up players ala Lance Bouma who also had a surprisingly similar production level to Bennett (16 goals, 34 points).
Having to drive your own line is a tough thing to do in the NHL and it’s even tougher when you have to do it in a position that is not natural to the player. Bennett was a winger for most of his life growing up and hasn’t learned the nuances of that position.
He’s a winger in my eyes and at his peak, if all things go right, I can see him becoming a very physical, 20 goal scorer with a bulldog mentality. Maybe he might reach it, but maybe he won’t, but to me, it’s not coaching that’ll get him to this level, it’s all on him. Ferland found a way to figure it out on his own, so to should Sam Bennett. No more excuses.