Quote:
Originally Posted by Bingo
I wouldn't say the Bennett opinions are formed in stone.
Honestly, the give him top line or give him second line minutes portion of the site have really quieted down over the last year and a half. So I'd say the % of CP that sees him getting anywhere near his draft pedigree is pretty much melting away.
The draft pedigree is certainly reason enough to want him to succeed, and additionally be given the opportunity to make sure we've looked under every rock before giving up on him that just makes sense.
What I've never understood is the group that seems down right excited when it's not working out. That puzzles me.
He had a great playoff ... he didn't have a great camp ... he was given a center role on the fourth line and then got promoted not because of his own good play, but how bad the Mangiapane, Backlund, Ryan line looked. Since then his metrics have improved (they couldn't get worse), while Ryan's has tanked. But Bennett hasn't produced at all ... that's not his fault solely, but he needs to prove he can be part of a production third line unit and it's not happening, and it hasn't happened for years.
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You basically nailed it.
Every Flames fan wanted Bennett to succeed.
The problem is weve been having the same cycle over and over. Hes totally underwhelming in the regular season, then he has an opportune if not solid playoffs. The off season comes, some on this site argue nonstop about how good he is, needs to slot in to the top 2 lines. Then the season starts. He plays bad, Bennett people cry foul, he needs to be in the top 6. Other people, including every coaching staff hes had, believe his play doesn't warrant it.
Then it's his linemates fault. Then it's the coaches fault. Then it's the refs fault. Then it's the GMs fault. Then it's the organizations fault. This has gone on for how long? Five years. When is it time to blame Sam Bennett for his play?
Some still treat him like the 4th overall, lowest pick in Calgary Flames history 18 year old Sam Bennett, that hes oozing with potential and the Flames have this sinister plan to hold him back, others see a complete bust.
In the middle are the people that recognize hes a 3rd or 4th liner, basically a guy that can be replaced but he does bring it in the playoffs. Frustrating.
The people that seem downright excited when he isn't playing well are the people that have fought with the Bennett is awesome crowd year after year and they're tired of all the excuses and exaggerations about his play. They really aren't excited that the lowest draft pick in Flames history is barely holding a spot in the bottom six.