We have seen players on this current squad given less opportunity than Bennett and show more: Mangiapane got sporadic games on the 4th line to start out and yet he bulldozed his way into our top 6 over 3 seasons. Dube started last year getting sporadic 4th line time, worked his way on to the third line this year, and now is poised to keep on moving up too.
Bennett was gift wrapped a top 6 spot to start, did alright but not amazing, and was surpassed by a better player in the same position (LW- tkachuk.) He didn't have the chops to stick at centre up the lineup, or he would have. He's not like Mangiapane or Dube where his play made other top 6 players potentially expendable. And he is at a bit of a disadvantage because he seems to disappear on the right wing, is no where close in talent to the two LWs above him, and takes far too many penalties to play C in the top 6. It's not an opportunity thing. It might be a confidence thing, but if so that shouldn't be on the flames to coddle a player who might mayyybe one day become a consistent top 6 player.
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