Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community - View Single Post - What if Sam Bennett has another good playoff performance?

Joborule · 08-17-2020, 02:39 PM

I think for those saying that Bennett is showing up in the playoffs, but doesn't show this in the regular season are not accounting for the biggest reason his regular season stats are underwhelming. You can't bring up those stats, without accounting for him having ####ty linemates, and a extremely short leash in general. The one season he had decent stats? His rookie season, when he had a coach give him legitimate opportunities, and adequate linemates.

And just because it's post season, doesn't mean that Bennett is getting away with stuff he doesn't get away with in the regular season. I disagree that Bennett is getting away with more stuff. The penalties that Bennett takes in the regular season are well deserved penalties where he's trying to do too much. He would hook and interfere a lot, but in the playoffs, I haven't seen much instances of him doing something that would be called if it wasn't the playoffs. He's primarily making more use of his body. And aside from the intensity increasing, I think he has more trust in his linemates, and is more comfortable in knowing his position in the lineup/opportunities he'll be getting, that he's not trying to do too much away from the puck.

Bennett is thriving in these playoffs mostly because he gets to play his style of game, and gets to CONSISTENLY have competent linemates that can press the play, or finish themselves. This is why he's getting results both 5 on 5 and on the PP. You water a plant, you watch it grow.

After these playoffs, there's absolutely no reason why Bennett shouldn't be solidified as a player that plays consistently within the top 9 of the lineup as a centre primarily. He can produce if he doesn't have anchors holding him down, and having to be the one to do everything on the line to try and generate results, with very limited ice time. I actually think that it may be worth looking at how a line with Tkachuk-Bennett would look along with Mangiapane/Dube. Backlund isn't getting any younger, and if Bennett on the second line can be a very productive scoring line, Backlund can then be a strong 3 line centre, where the line can be a good shutdown line, that can still get the puck in.

08-17-2020, 02:39 PM	#346
Joborule Franchise Player Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Calgary, Alberta Exp:	I think for those saying that Bennett is showing up in the playoffs, but doesn't show this in the regular season are not accounting for the biggest reason his regular season stats are underwhelming. You can't bring up those stats, without accounting for him having ####ty linemates, and a extremely short leash in general. The one season he had decent stats? His rookie season, when he had a coach give him legitimate opportunities, and adequate linemates. And just because it's post season, doesn't mean that Bennett is getting away with stuff he doesn't get away with in the regular season. I disagree that Bennett is getting away with more stuff. The penalties that Bennett takes in the regular season are well deserved penalties where he's trying to do too much. He would hook and interfere a lot, but in the playoffs, I haven't seen much instances of him doing something that would be called if it wasn't the playoffs. He's primarily making more use of his body. And aside from the intensity increasing, I think he has more trust in his linemates, and is more comfortable in knowing his position in the lineup/opportunities he'll be getting, that he's not trying to do too much away from the puck. Bennett is thriving in these playoffs mostly because he gets to play his style of game, and gets to CONSISTENLY have competent linemates that can press the play, or finish themselves. This is why he's getting results both 5 on 5 and on the PP. You water a plant, you watch it grow. After these playoffs, there's absolutely no reason why Bennett shouldn't be solidified as a player that plays consistently within the top 9 of the lineup as a centre primarily. He can produce if he doesn't have anchors holding him down, and having to be the one to do everything on the line to try and generate results, with very limited ice time. I actually think that it may be worth looking at how a line with Tkachuk-Bennett would look along with Mangiapane/Dube. Backlund isn't getting any younger, and if Bennett on the second line can be a very productive scoring line, Backlund can then be a strong 3 line centre, where the line can be a good shutdown line, that can still get the puck in.