Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community - View Single Post - Sam Bennett Value: Have the Flames held on TOO long? OR is he awesome?

Harry Lime · 03-08-2020, 10:35 PM

Bennett is clearly a centreman.

Rookie year, I completely approve of putting him on Backlunds wing to learn the game. He needed work on the defensive side, and they were skipping the AHL.

Over the next 29 years, he has been tried at centre a number of times, for a couple of games here, a few shifts there.

Finally, in his third decade as a Flame, he gets a chance a centre for a half dozen games, and it all comes together. The offensive zone penalties go away. He starts using his linemates. He is defensively sound.

Great success!

Annnnnd, back to fourth line LW, at 8 minutes a night. I'm sure that his confidence level is fine. Negative reinforcement is a valid coaching strategy. I'm just unsure what he is supposed to be learning.

03-08-2020, 10:35 PM	#2743
Harry Lime Franchise Player Join Date: Feb 2014 Exp:	Bennett is clearly a centreman. Rookie year, I completely approve of putting him on Backlunds wing to learn the game. He needed work on the defensive side, and they were skipping the AHL. Over the next 29 years, he has been tried at centre a number of times, for a couple of games here, a few shifts there. Finally, in his third decade as a Flame, he gets a chance a centre for a half dozen games, and it all comes together. The offensive zone penalties go away. He starts using his linemates. He is defensively sound. Great success! Annnnnd, back to fourth line LW, at 8 minutes a night. I'm sure that his confidence level is fine. Negative reinforcement is a valid coaching strategy. I'm just unsure what he is supposed to be learning. __________________ "By Grabthar's hammer ... what a savings."