Quote:
Originally Posted by transplant99
Lindholms worst year is better than Bennetts best.
It would be awesome if Bennett could find his way to 40-45 points...problem is he has been given multiple opportunities to do so, and hasn't been able to.
And its not like the 2 are miles apart in age...Lindholm will be 24 when next season starts, Sam will be 23....18 months difference.
When does it become OK to admit...he is what he is? 1 more year? 3? 6?
At what point do you just say (and start building the team that way)...he is a 3rd line guy?
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It's a pretty well established line of development that players in their draft +4 year typically take a large step forward.
Sam is going into next year in his draft + 5 year. However, remember that he lost almost and entire year of development right after the draft due to his shoulder injury.
I expect that next year we see a size able step forward from Sam.
If he gets consistent top 6 minutes, with 2nd line PP time I can see him pushing towards 40-50 points.
His underlying numbers have always been quite good, he's just never really had a consistent amount of time with more talented line mates. And yes, I know, he has had stints, it needs to be earned etc. etc.
I would love to see him on the second line, getting 18 minutes a night for the first 20 games of the year.