[SuperMatt18]

Why can’t all these things be true with Bennett?

He’s a guy that needs to give more in the regular season and become a more consistent producer over an 82 game schedule, I don’t think his supporters will argue that.

He also a guy that’s been saddled with subpar linemates in our bottom six and didn’t seem to ever get a long term opportunity to play his natural position with talented linemates. Plus he’s received limited to no PP time. Those things hurt his development and point production.

And he’s a guy that can step his game up come playoff time and really provide energy and a physical game while also chipping in offensively. Hes been our best playoff player (Non-goalie) in each of the last three playoffs now.

So I think the argument is why move on from Bennett when he’s finally found some chemistry with some linemates while playing his natural position. He’s not overpaid, he works hard, and he still has a year left on his contract that takes him to RFA status.

Plus he’s still only just turned 24 in June, so while it’s unlikely he becomes a star now there are other guys that broke out late in their careers too. Hell there are even recent examples in this organization. Ferland didn’t have his 20 goal, 40 point season until he was 24 and got top 6 minutes. Lindholm was a guy who couldn’t finish and didn’t break out offensively until he was 24 and got put on a line with other talented forwards.

IMO there is no reason to include him as a throw in as part of a Gaudreau trade right now. His value probably won’t be that elevated after what’s a weird playoff format and people will still look at his regular season stats.