[CliffFletcher]

I don’t know why people are pointing fingers over who to blame in the organization for Bennett’s failure to developed as projected. His offensive skills did not translate to the NHL beyond an early flash. He had the tools to beat teenagers, but not grown, fast men. It happens with many prospects with every team.

Where we can point fingers is at Bennett for not putting in the effort to use the skills he does have to become a reliable player defensively. If you’re not a top point producer, your play without the puck is what determines how much your coaches trust you and how much ice time you get. That isn’t a Flames thing, it’s an NHL thing. Sure, it rankles the ego of players who are accustomed to being stars and getting loads of pp time. But that’s what being a professional means.

Six seasons into his NHL career, on his fourth head coach, and Bennett has never been trusted to play on the penalty kill. What does that tell you about his defensive effort, smarts, and play without the puck?

If Bennett is playing in Europe three years from now, he’ll have nobody to blame but himself. He could have changed and adapted his game. Lots of highly drafted former stars do. Whether it’s out of stubbornness or entitlement, Bennett has chosen not to.