Quote:
Originally Posted by Drunk Uncle
Statistically, the only bottom pairing d-man that Bennett helped was Davidson…
Lucic-Ryan-Dube-Stone: +3
Lucic-Bennett-Dube-Stone: -2
Lucic-Ryan-Dube-Yelesin: even
Lucic-Bennett-Dube-Yelesin: -1
Lucic-Ryan-Dube-Kylington: +4
Lucic-Bennett-Dube-Kylington: even
Lucic-Ryan-Dube-Davidson: -1
Lucic-Bennett-Dube-Davidson: +1
I’m not saying Bennett has been bad. He looked good and is a legitimate option at center with Lucic and Dube especially if Ryan isn't available. I'm just contending that going back to Ryan is a logical choice and not one that should be met consternation from fans because Bennett has somehow performed better on that line. The simple truth is he hasn't. Not by the eye test or statistically for me.
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I think the argument a lot of us are making is, this is a player who has struggled mightily with consistency and confidence, a lot of which has to do with how he has been deployed by the team. And that it isn't very logical to take away his role as soon as he starts having lasting success.
Add that to the fact I believe Ryan would be able to get more out of his linemates while centering the 4th line than Bennett will as Jankowski's winger.
So I see your point but in my opinion the logical thing to do would be keeping the successful Lucic-Bennett-Dube line together while improving the 4th line more with Derek Ryan