Quote:
Originally Posted by GranteedEV
Elite level?
Anthony Duclair had 18 points in 31 games playing predominantly with Verhaege and Barkov before Bennett arrived. A 48 point pace.
A bit of an overstatement there, and I'm not trying to take away from Duclair, I think he's made some gorgeous plays on that line.
I mean, I pretty much thought that before the trade.
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I know you did. I am far more skeptical.
Duclair has provided the Panthers with 8.6 goals above replacement this season (according to Evolving-Hockey). Huberdeau, 9.1.
Bennett came into Florida having provided Calgary with zero goals above replacement this year. -4.2 last year. 3 in 2018-19. -9.3 in 2017-18.
He's in the midst of a ridiculously good stretch in Florida but he's been a poor play-driver for most of his career. I think it's awfully presumptuous to cast him as a Marc Savard-type. I think Dylan Strome is a far better comparison.
Calgary may have developed him poorly but I just don't think a consistent top-six forward is there. I see a great third-line 30 to 35-point guy going forward for Florida.