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Originally Posted by Bingo
This isn't entirely true.
The sample size of Bennett on that line with Gaudreau and Monahan is still too small to hang your hat on, but you're right it was more than two games. Probably about 5 when you see total minutes together in the 75 minute range.
However in those 75 minutes the trio had the best numbers of any line the Flames put together for more than 50 minutes last year.
They bested the Ferland option in terms of shot attempts, scoring chance splits and high danger splits which fit my eye test last year perfectly. They didn't finish though, which is the story of Bennett's career (he and who ever he plays with).
Gaudreau Monahan Ferland
CF% 54.84%
SC% 54.32%
HD% 55.32%
All good numbers
Gaudreau Monahan Bennett
CF% 59.49%
SC% 55.56%
HD% 53.33%
You could certainly make a case that Gulutzan should have stuck with that longer.
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To me, the eye test does not jive with those numbers. I saw a line that lacked chemistry and execution. They’ve tried various players on that top line and the only option that truly showed any success was Hudler and Ferland. Lindholm looks tocbe promising as well.
But it’s pretty obvious that Brad Treliving didn’t like it either since he basically said goodbye to half the forwards on this roster and made it pretty clear that the spot would be either Lindholm’s or Neal’s.