See, I think it is a good analysis. Unfortunate for Bennett that he was drafted a year after Monahan because their first years were comparable. Monahan in his second year got paired up with Gaudreau (an elite talent), while Bennett as a rookie played with Backlund and Frolik. The next year Hudler played with the top line and they were great, they put Tkachuk with Backlund and Frolik and put Sam in the 3rd line blender.
Nice to see some stats that help try to analyze independent of the impression you get from a season long set of ice time with a wildly different opportunity
Even now, it seems Peters has been searching for the right linemates. Interestingly, usually coaches run with pairs, and usually those pairs are C-wing, but in Bennett’s case he has been paired 60 pct of the time with Neal, and with those two a mix of Jankowski, Ryan, Backlund and Dube. I don’t think Peters knows if he wants Sam at C or W and is trying to make up his mind
We need to remember as well his age in the sense that he has been maturing physically, and players who play a physical game benefit from that. He has been one of the most noticeable players night in and night out and that is nice to see.
I like the kid and Jankowski has struggled so far. Also Lindholm is a capable C, but then again isxdeadly as a winger. And the coach loves Ryan.
Nice problem to have as the Flames, with more guys who can play C than they can possibly use.
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