Quote:
Originally Posted by New Era
I agree to an extent. If Bennett can continue his play it would help the team if they can find the right combination. I still don't see a fit with Gaudreau and Monahan.
Yes, Bennett is working hard and running around, but he still doesn't make anything happen for the guys he's playing with. Bennett's game is all about chaos, which Gaudreau and Monahan play a game of control. Bennett is dump and chase, crash and bang, while Gaudreau and Monahan are puck control and score off the rush. What I am seeing is a lot more play along the boards and pucks circling the boards. What makes the pair effective is their use of open ice and exploiting gaps. Bennett doesn't get this and actually clogs up the gaps because of his physical bull in a china shop approach. Bennett more often than not ends up in the same space as one of his linemates which makes the play die quickly. For a line that lives and dies on flow, they have put in place a disruptive force to what makes the line successful.
Here's the tough thing. There are two slots open for Bennett IMO. With Gaudreau and Monahan or with the 4th liners. Bennett's game is more like the latter than the former, but the team needs him to be successful in the former. This is a square peg being hammered into the proverbial round hole. He may be trying hard, and the fans may love his hustle, but the efficacy of the line is not high. I'd say give him to the Toronto trip and see if they can produce. We should know by the Toronto games if there is any hope. If he doesn't produce in six games versus Vancouver and Edmonton then the experiment is likely over. The bottom line is the line has to produce and he has to produce. If he plays well but the line can't score, his personal success is for naught.
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If you could pick any two players on the Flames to play with Bennett to maximize his skill set who would those be? Or if was traded what team has the ideal line mates for him?