Quote:
Originally Posted by New Era
Don't buy the luck angle. Never have. Luck extends over a short period of time, not multiple seasons.
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I agree with this, but I end up conceptualising Bennett's development differently. I don't think there is a linear function where a player improves, therefore he gets more expected points. Sometimes, a little bit of improvement makes a huge difference in terms of point totals. Sometimes a lot of improvement makes only a small difference. That's why player's "Breakout" - because theyre only a few minor adjustments away from having a "tipping point moment" in their career.
When I watch Bennett play, there's been a massive improvement in his game - his vision his better, his processing time is better, his ability to use team mates is better, his ability to slow down the game is better, his ability to thread the needle with passing is better, his defensive awareness is better - yet there has been little to no improvement in his point totals. But when you watch the player, what exactly is he missing from being a really good player? This is what I think he's missing:
1) A better shot in terms of accuracy = more goals, more rebounds for teammates
2) Stronger with breakouts = more time in offensive zone
3) Better awareness of where to be in the offensive zone when one of his teammates have the puck, so his teammates can use him better = more goals and more assists because play is kept alive better
If he got better at these three things, he'd be a top 6 forward on the flames because of how multi-dimensional he is otherwise. But just the fact that hes only missing three elements to an otherwise complete game is a massive improvement to where he was a season ago. And given that he's only 22, I'd bet there is better than even odds that he develops into a 20+ goal scorer by age 24