Quote:
Originally Posted by DeluxeMoustache
The Bennett thing is bizarre. I agree with those observing that he has chemistry with Dube, and also looks good as a Center
For some reason, he has an incredibly short leash any time he gets good linemates.
Meanwhile, Mangiapane was given a ton of opportunity. He had, if I recall correctly, something like an 11 game pointless streak, and he had all the leash in the world. It paid off. Now I like Mangiapane and the player he has become.
Amazing how a player with consistent, quality linemates can develop
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The biggest mistake with Bennett was shifting him around to wing instead of being patient and developing him as a C even with the pointless streak at the start of Gulutzan's second season. This was the start of the Flames making it clear that they had no plan for Bennett, who then gets shuffled around various lines at all 3 positions for the next 3 years and has Jankowski as his most common linemate.
At the start of his first season, Peters made it clear very early that he needed for find more ice time for Bennett, and used him occasionally on the 2nd line. IMO Bennett's first season under Peters was a slight improvement compared to to Gulutzan years. Unfortunately, he was still shuffled around at different positions with no stability with quality linemates.
Now with Ward, it looks his usage of Bennett is even worse than Gulutzan's. With no injuries, Bennett is now an everyday 4th line winger, even though he's seen how well Bennett can play at C with his own eyes.