[GranteedEV]

I've decided to revive this thread, because over these playoffs, I saw the exact same things I saw back then.

I'm more convinced than ever, Sam Bennett as a centre was not a failure. The organization (Glen Gulutzan and Bill Peters in particular) failed Sam Bennett by first giving him wingers who played with zero pace, and then utilizing him as a winger with a centre who played with zero pace.

Sam Bennett is a player who thrives on pace.

Milan Lucic may not be the fastest player in the NHL, but he plays the game with pace that James Neal, Troy Brouwer, etc etc etc etc did not.

Dillon Dube is one example of the perfect complement to Bennett.

It's time to make Sam Bennett a full time centre.

That is my takeaway from these playoffs, and maybe that's just my confirmation bias at play, but until I actually see Sam Bennett the worst player on his line (which... has never been the case in his career), the team should give him more opportunity.

He's earned it.

Not as a right winger.
Not as a left winger.
But as a centreman.

Even if the odd man out is Mikael Backlund or Sean Monahan, at this point the team needs to see what they have in Sam Bennett.