Quote:
Originally Posted by Classic_Sniper
Bennett was a mistake from the start. The troubles were there right from the beginning, but we as fans didn’t see it because of shiny toy syndrome. He had some good tools, but no toolbox. He doesn’t have the game of an elite NHL centerman and his competitiveness and edge actually hurts him in the regular season. If the Flames were annual playoff contenders, maybe the Flames could’ve gotten more out of Bennett, but alas, ultimately just a pile of nice games in a bunch of short playoff stints.
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So let's assume you could tell Bennett wasn't a future 1C by the end of this rookie season. What 1C's should have the Flames acquired since 2015-16? They drafted 6 in 2016, got Tkachuk and no decent Cs were available there (apparently they would have taken PLD if he was there). Since then they've been nowhere near a top C to draft. Then there's trade or UFA. So who? And at what price (in a trade). The only big name UFA C I can think of is Tavares. He was going to Toronto. The only trades for Cs I can think of are PLD (which would have cost Gaudreau or Tkachuk and maybe more) and I guess Duchene, which would have been a huge mistake. Treliving did try and address C somewhat by getting Lindholm who he probably penciled in at 1bC even then.