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SeanCharles · 01-27-2021, 07:27 PM

I think I might actually get roasted the most for this comment but I think the biggest problem is he has not had a consistent role on the team. His versatility has been a hinderance somewhat because he can play just about anywhere and not look too out of place. Due to this he has been doing just that, playing all over the lineup and not having any consistent assignments or linemates. I think this is a bit of mismanagement but the team has essentially been in win now mode ever since he joined the team so the coaches are trying to win and care less about development.

Conroy has even stated management has viewed him as a center since they drafted him but the coaches haven’t been putting him there. We can debate all we want the reasons for this but I believe it’s because the coach wanted veterans in those positions because thats just the kinda thing coaches want. Jankowski was a bit of a different case because he was a big, rangy center who was good at face offs in the lower levels. Every coach would like a 6’4” center so I think there was a bit of an exception for him.

That isn’t the part I will get roasted about..

I think putting him as the 3rd line center in the playoffs put him in a position where he knew what his role was and it was a consistent assignment with consistent linemates. And yes I do believe he has chemistry with Dube but I think it’s in the organizations best interests to let Dube play higher up the lineup, he has the skill and tools to excel there.

I think he should be put back as the 3rd line center and have Mangiapane on his wing. To me that is the right thing to do after his showing in the playoffs. We can talk about refs putting the whistles away in the playoffs all we want I’m not fully buying into that theory. I think there is some truth to it but it’s not the reasons for such a dramatic change. I think Bennett doesn’t worry or overthink things in the playoffs, he just plays his game and let’s his instincts carry him. In regular season he is too focused on silencing the critics and doing well. This along with not having a consistent role hinders him.

We have discussed Bennett plenty but has anyone else noticed how rough Backlund has looked since the break? I haven’t liked his game in the slightest.

Maybe with Lindholm shifting to center we don’t need Backlund as much for tougher matchups? Maybe we should consider his age/cap hit and think about moving him?

Wouldn’t it be fun to have a gritty 3rd line that are puck hounds in Pelletier-Bennett-Mangiapane?

In saying this I still think Bennett-Backlund-Mangiapane can be a good line once fully healthy.

I just think Bennett does play better up the middle where he can use his speed and tenacious style to create time and space.

01-27-2021, 07:27 PM	#28
SeanCharles First Line Centre Join Date: Jul 2013 Exp:	I think I might actually get roasted the most for this comment but I think the biggest problem is he has not had a consistent role on the team. His versatility has been a hinderance somewhat because he can play just about anywhere and not look too out of place. Due to this he has been doing just that, playing all over the lineup and not having any consistent assignments or linemates. I think this is a bit of mismanagement but the team has essentially been in win now mode ever since he joined the team so the coaches are trying to win and care less about development. Conroy has even stated management has viewed him as a center since they drafted him but the coaches haven’t been putting him there. We can debate all we want the reasons for this but I believe it’s because the coach wanted veterans in those positions because thats just the kinda thing coaches want. Jankowski was a bit of a different case because he was a big, rangy center who was good at face offs in the lower levels. Every coach would like a 6’4” center so I think there was a bit of an exception for him. That isn’t the part I will get roasted about.. I think putting him as the 3rd line center in the playoffs put him in a position where he knew what his role was and it was a consistent assignment with consistent linemates. And yes I do believe he has chemistry with Dube but I think it’s in the organizations best interests to let Dube play higher up the lineup, he has the skill and tools to excel there. I think he should be put back as the 3rd line center and have Mangiapane on his wing. To me that is the right thing to do after his showing in the playoffs. We can talk about refs putting the whistles away in the playoffs all we want I’m not fully buying into that theory. I think there is some truth to it but it’s not the reasons for such a dramatic change. I think Bennett doesn’t worry or overthink things in the playoffs, he just plays his game and let’s his instincts carry him. In regular season he is too focused on silencing the critics and doing well. This along with not having a consistent role hinders him. We have discussed Bennett plenty but has anyone else noticed how rough Backlund has looked since the break? I haven’t liked his game in the slightest. Maybe with Lindholm shifting to center we don’t need Backlund as much for tougher matchups? Maybe we should consider his age/cap hit and think about moving him? Wouldn’t it be fun to have a gritty 3rd line that are puck hounds in Pelletier-Bennett-Mangiapane? In saying this I still think Bennett-Backlund-Mangiapane can be a good line once fully healthy. I just think Bennett does play better up the middle where he can use his speed and tenacious style to create time and space.