Doesn’t make use of the absolute brutal line mates he has been given in all but one season (where he scored 18 goals as a 19 year old)
For Bennett it is not all on him and it is not all on the organization. Giving him Brouwer as a 20 year old center then constant shifts back to the wing to play with Jankowski or some other plug.
They test him in the top 6 and before the first game is over he is shuffled through the lineup.
Bennett has a knack for trying to get too fancy and is often thwarted by the defense (he has a small handful of beauty goals when he is able to pull it off). Benny also takes several boneheaded penalties that hurt the team and puts him in the dog house.
There is a reason Treliving has not pulled the trigger on a Bennett trade in the last 6 years but we are absolutely nearing the breaking point. I think they will likely try and see if the third line that was so great in the playoffs is able to keep their momentum going but if Bennett is in a similar spot next offseason I think both he and the organization will be ready to part ways.
Ideally he is able to carry over his play down the middle and the Flames have a middle 6 center on their hands who is able to elevate to first line in the playoffs
|