Quote:
Originally Posted by Vinny01
I am fine keeping Bennett but people need to be prepared for him not being anywhere near this same player next season. He will have games and flashes where he steps up like this but it is an impossible style to play for 6 months and 82 games.
Hopefully his confidence and offensive touch can remain but no one can throw 7-8 hits a game like he is day in and day out. When he plays engaged like this and the refs tend to call less penalties he thrives and is exactly the player we thought we were getting when he was drafted. I am happy he has shifted back to the middle and it is working. At the end of the day this is currently an 8 game sample size. I think some are getting a little ahead of themselves thinking this is a monumental breakout. He has always been a playoff beast and it has never carried over to the regular season. While I certainly hope it does I have been fooled too many times in the past. I am also not a huge fan of the argument it is not his fault and all due to bad coaches and line mates.
One thing I have always thought about Bennett is he would find his game and succeed once he moved on from the Flames. Optimistically there is a chance he found his role on the Flames after all. I was convinced he would be traded this offseason but I don’t think so anymore.
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What I think could really help Bennett stay engaged in the regular season is obviously keeping him with Lucic and Dube but simplifying his expectations. Ya 5-8 hits a game isn't really possible for 82 games but if they do with him what they did with Ferland and tell him basically we want 3 hits and 3 shots or maybe 3-5 shots + passes that lead to shots per game it could really keep help keep his focus for a majority of games.
He already produces chances at a good clip in the regular season so more points should come with Dube but if we take away his tendency to try and do too much when things aren't going his way it could really help his overall game imo.
3 hits, 3-5 shots or shot assists and work on taking less offensive zone penalties. Very simple goals game in, game out and should help the player learn that he doesn't need to do too much.
And give Dube and Lucic similar goals. all of a sudden now that line combined is getting 10 shots on goal and throwing 10 hits a game. success will come from that.