Quote:
Originally Posted by GioforPM
They tried a lot a Tkachuk-Bennett a couple years ago. I was actually surprised when I looked and saw how much.
In answer to a bunch of other stuff - yes, it’s easy to say they could have traded Monahan and used Bennett, or played Bennett on the second line (instead of Backlund I guess). But that’s ignoring what was going on with those guys at the same time. Monahan has only dipped last year and this one, and Backlund has always been good. Coaches want to win, and developing guys, giving them room, isn;t exactly second nature.
The fact Fla is doing it is, still IMO, is because it’s natural to do it with a new guy. And it worked, like it sometimes does. It’s sort of what happened with Lindholm (when I’m sure he was acquired to be a centre). It’s not the first time, nor is it the last. It may last, it may not. What’s definite is that it wasn’t working here, there was going to be an issue at the expansion draft, and at the bargaining table, and he asked for a trade. So it’s still the best outcome that could be expected. The rest is in the past.
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I agree with most of the above but Hartley talked about playing stars when they were raw, letting them use their skills. I believe coach Q knows this from coaching Kane and Toews. I don't believe this is something done by habit in Bennett's case, I believe this coach knows exactly what he is doing which is something our previous coaches failed.