Quote:
Originally Posted by ComixZone
The same could be said for Bennett as far as projecting to be a great player. It’s just the misery of his time in this incompetent organization that has people thinking otherwise. Bennett showed the potential he had in his rookie season, and after that the organization did what it did.
Hell, Bennett put up 8 points in 10 playoff games last year as a centre with Lucic and Dube. He proved he could perform at a high level at the most important time of the year in the most important position. This team then made no space for him and slammed him down the roster to start this season because they yet again doubled/tripled down the players that they always have (despite no success).
It’s just pure incompetence.
|
I actually think Bennett and Draisaitl had complete opposite styles. Bennett was more flash and razzle-dazzle. He liked going one on one and trying to deke through his opponent rather than protecting the puck and going around his opponent. Although he’s always had really strong edgework so he could dig deep into the ice and cut hard from the corner and to the net with power. Although I don’t think that specific element of his game ever translated on the rush.
Draisaitl on the other hand didn’t have as much flash in his game, I think he had softer hands, but he definitely didn’t go one on one deking through defensemen like Bennett who looks to do that on every rush. Draisaitl had more of a power game and he just looked very very heavy with the puck. Protecting, shielding especially on his backhand which I think is his bread and butter. His backhand pass is as good as most center’s forehand passes. The puck seemed to follow him a lot too, whereas with Bennett, not so much.
I do agree that his playoff performance was simply outstanding. Probably worth keeping him just for that alone. But with the team missing the playoffs and the expansion draft looming, a trade was necessary. I still believe that had Monahan been traded for Josh Anderson or some other top end winger last offseason, then Bennett would still be here. There would be space for him up the middle and a quality winger to slot next to him. If the Flames had bothered to even try for Toffoli as well, who knows, maybe Bennett’s career with the Flames changes completely. Alas, it never happened and there’s nothing we can do about it now.