Quote:
Originally Posted by blankall
The Dube and Bennett situations aren't all that similar. Dube was a much lower draft pick, who required far more development time. Dube was also a somewhat small player who needed time to build physical strength.
Dube's development is exactly where it should be. Is he capable of more? Potentially? He's been given lots of playing time. There's not reason to pencil him in on the top line right now. Sure, give him the chance to play up and show what he's got, but Dube doesn't look like he's been stifled.
Bennett is more like a wrecking ball with some offensive talent (although not as much as people are pumping him up to have, he has a career high of 49 points and has put up more than 40 points once). Bennett is effective in the top 6, because he is so disruptive, not because he's suddenly developed previously untapped offensive genius.
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I agree that Bennett was drafted ~50 spots higher, and made it to the NHL as an 18y.o, compared to Dube getting his first taste as a 20y.o. As far as size Bennett is 5cm taller, and 3kg heavier. I think you're somewhat exaggerating the size difference here.
Here's their prorated(82GP) production at the same age:
Aside from the bad year Bennett had as a 23 year old their production is pretty similar. The 24 year old season is the one where he was traded to FLA.
I also think that you're mislabeling Bennett as a player that only once scored more than 40pts. In the last 2.5 seasons with FLA Bennett has 50G, and 104pts in 144GP. That comes down to 28G, 59Pt over an 82 game season. He maintained that pace over the last 2.5 seasons. Bennett benefited from a bigger role, better line-mates, and a different usage.
I'm making the case the Dube will also benefit from that kind of usage, including PP1. That's why I think that Dube can be a 25G, 50-60P player as soon as next season.