I 100% agree with Enoch. Just give Bennett the rope.
He has a history of making really high-skill plays. Sure, they haven't come as often as we would like, but he does have those hands. He is physical. He is one of the few players on this team that consistently elevates his game in the playoffs. He just has zero confidence now.
Who is he competing against? Dube and Mangiapane. Ok, well there are 3 lines. It looks right now like Dube and Mangiapane have found homes on the 2nd and 3rd line.
Simon, Leivo and Nordstrom?
I haven't minded Simon as much as others have on the top line - I think he is an effective forechecker, decent along the boards, and he is decent defensively. However, he does not provide what Hudler, Ferland or Lindholm has on that line - a different look for a scoring threat, nor can he make strong passes. He just doesn't have much of an offensive ability.
Leivo is interesting, and is looking like he is improving, but to date, he hasn't done much. He isn't very physical either.
Nordstrom - well, he doesn't have an offensive bone in his body. Great PK'er, but you don't want him on any of the top 3 lines. Hard working guy who has taken some flack lately (those 2 bad penalties vs Edmonton didn't help!), but I don't mind him and I think he has shown him to be a good 4th liner with PK ability, but that's it.
I really believe that this team is in desperate need of a physical top 6 player. Every single season you see Bennett making some seriously talented plays - some of them work out, some of them don't - but the talent is there. The physicality is there. He is great on face-offs - that's great when Monahan gets waved. He is great along the boards - a definite weakness on that line. He is a quick skater - again, helpful for that line. He seems like the best support player for that line at the moment while Ward wants Lindholm to be a centre.
I would rather give Bennett that rope and see what comes out of it, rather than trading him for pennies right now anyway. That's the best solution to this situation - give him the opportunity to regain some of his confidence, and see how he fits on that line. I remember a really spectacular give-and-go with him and Gaudreau last season I believe. He knew to trail Gaudreau and go to the net right away with his stick on the ice for his goal last night, whereas Simon and Nordstrom would have rushed to the boards for puck support. Little things like that.
Hey, if it doesn't work out, what the heck is it costing the Flames? Valuable minutes of Simon on the top line? Leivo's 'getting used to NHL speed' minutes? More Nordstrom chasing the puck everywhere but not being able to pass it to anyone? Seriously, what is the alternative and the argument against Bennett on the top line at the moment (or in the top 9 if Mangiapane and/or Dube don't stick on their existing lines, which in the short sample size seemingly are looking like fits)?
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