Coming from a someone who likes Bennett and believes he is part of the solution here in Calgary, I disagree with you. He has had every opportunity to succeed, more then most. And when he gets an opportunity, he never seizes it. We have tried him on the wing and center. He has played with many different line mates and hasn't been offensively successful with any of them but Backlund (in his rookie year). Did we miss manage him because he doesn't get gifted top line minutes? or #1 PP time? No one does. You have to earn that, then get the opportunity and then prove you belong there. Look at Mangiapane or Dube, or even Gaudreau or Monahan for that matter. None of them were gifted top minutes or great line mates to start, they earned it. What has Bennett done to earn that?
I think we have to start realizing Bennett is not going to reach his potential as first center, but he can be an important role player. He plays too aggressive to be effective during the regular season resulting in stupid minor penalties. He was effective in offensively in Junior because he did it all himself, he still hasn't learned how to use his teammates. He holds on to the puck too long, makes 1-2-3 too many moves, often puts himself or others offside by making moves at the line and when he finally does pass it's usually off the mark and has no finesse. Plays die on Bennett's stick constantly.
I believe in the playoffs, his success has little to do with playing center or which line mates he plays with. I believe it can mostly be attributed to the refs calling less penalties in the playoffs, him understanding this and he can just relax and play his style on instinct.
Regarding chemistry, I don't think he really has it with anyone, nor will he. Again because he doesn't have the toolbox to utilize his linemates. Dube looks good on every line, his speed, tenacity and play making ability makes him compliment every line he plays on.
Bennett is a solid player that brings tenacity, is pretty responsible defensively and is going to pot a goal now and then. He is going to be a big part of any playoff success that we have. But he is always going to be frustrating from a fan perspective because he has all the tools but no tool box. IMHO
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