Quote:
Originally Posted by GioforPM
I'm sure he wanted to play for Sutter. But frankly having a trade request and then yanking it doesn't sit well with me anyway. Especially when the new coach is doing exactly what the old coach did.
Calgary made big mistakes developing Bennett. But no one seems to put any onus on Bennett to (a) play better within the role and (b) make the most of what time he had when given what he wanted. I think that Florida gave him a better chance to succeed for sure. But that's pretty typical - Calgary did the same with Lindholm. I also think that Bennett probably figured that he had to up his game after the trade, which he finally did.
|
Bennett isn't capable of "playing better within the role". I know people think he's the second coming right now, but this year was his best season ever at 51 points. The Flames threw him into a bottom six role and expected him to elevate scrubs. He's not capable of doing that.
Bennett needs to be given the best opportunities to succeed and play with guys who are going to let him succeed. Florida is giving Bennett high end linemates, 60% o-zone starts, and not using him at all on the PK.
The Flames, after seeing he didn't have high end hockey IQ, were trying to groom Bennett into a two-way mid-six guy like Backlund. Bennett eventually got fed up of being a square peg being forced into round hole and demanded out.