Sam Bennett vs. Matthew Tkatchuk

[flamesforcup]

Before the season it was mostly a unanimous opinion that Bennett was the more valuable asset and gonna be the better player. My opinion is still the same but I've noticed a bit of discussion about it so i thought id make a thread to see how many people think Tkachuks the more valuable asset. Basically what I'm saying is if u were an expansion team and for some reason Bennett and Tkachuk were both exposed which one would u take and why?

Can a mod please add a poll thanks

[Par]

Originally Posted by flamesforcup

Before the season it was mostly a unanimous opinion that Bennett was the more valuable asset and gonna be the better player. My opinion is still the same but I've noticed a bit of discussion about it so i thought id make a thread to see how many people think Tkachuks the more valuable asset. Basically what I'm saying is if u were an expansion team and for some reason Bennett and Tkachuk were both exposed which one would u take and why?

Can a mod please add a poll thanks

I would take Bennett because he has a higher ceiling and he can play both center and wing.

[GranteedEV]

Tkachuk has been amazing and better at this stage in their respective development but Bennett still has the highest ceiling in this organization and second highest ceiling of any U25 in this division. His development as a centre is more vital to this team being a contender than any other player including Dougie, Brodie, Johnny, Tkachuk, or Monahan.

[FiveSeven]

Although he hasn't been a great centre thus far, I tend to lean towards Bennett because he is a centre. It's probably 45/55 for me though, very close.

[Vinny01]

Love having them both. Tkachuk has been better than expected and Bennett slightly worse than I expected. Flames have 4 pillars up front that will hopefully be key contributors to a cup contentding team over the next 5 years.

Tkachuk could be the best rookie of the Flames top 10 picks since the rebuild began

[flamesforcup]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

Love having them both. Tkachuk has been better than expected and Bennett slightly worse than I expected. Flames have 4 pillars up front that will hopefully be key contributors to a cup contentding team over the next 5 years.

Tkachuk could be the best rookie of the Flames top 10 picks since the rebuild began

I think both Tkatchuk and Bennett will pass Monahan one day.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Really don't care who we deem the most valuable asset, it's a useless fan exercise. They're both our assets and they aren't going anywhere.

[Enoch Root]

Love em both.

I don't get too caught up in the what-have-you-done-for-me-lately stuff.

Gaudreau, Monahan, Bennett, Tkachuk, Brodie and Hamilton are all huge building blocks and are going to be key pieces for this team for a long time.

Hopefully a couple more of the young guys can make the jump to join that group.

[ben voyonsdonc]

There is only one 't' in Tkachuk.

I like them both. Both of them can do really good things even if they aren't scoring. Tkachuk has been much more effective than I expected in his first season. Bennett stilll hasn't quite hit his stride yet but he is a solid player.

[calgaryblood]

Bennett came out guns blazing as well in the playoffs. Still way too early to judge. Tkachuk could have the same set back as well.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by calgaryblood

Bennett came out guns blazing as well in the playoffs. Still way too early to judge. Tkachuk could have the same set back as well.

He almost obviously will. It'll be interesting to watch who "turns" when he does.

[Bandwagon In Flames]

I think there's no question that Bennett has the higher ceiling offensively, but he's also lost some intensity and tenaciousness that his game was known for in junior and we saw flashes of throughout the season.

But then you have Tkachuk who comes in and starts pushing around anyone who dares cross him, keeps the opposition from playing their game, drawing penalties all while being a defensively reliable #### disturber with a good shot and crazy high hockey IQ.

Bennett will finish his career with more points playing the more important position. Tkachuk has a very good chance to follow in his dads footsteps and become the ideal support piece on his team with intangibles coming out the wazoo.

You win cups with guys like Tkachuk and I'm sure having Bennett won't hurt either.

[Calgary4LIfe]

It really is a guess at this point as to who will be better than whom.

I just like to enjoy watching two very highly talented young players who are difficult to play against grow up in this organization.

[DJones]

Sam Bennett is quietly leading the team in even strength points.

Love them both, but this may be a new toy scenario. I'd go with Bennett.

[Lil Pedro]

Not sure how people can be upset with Sam Bennett; the guy is a 20 year old playing 2nd line centre for us. I am excited to see how much he progresses over the years

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Yes seems to be a strange debate, but centres and #1 D men are the most valuable assets over wingers for the most part. A winger with Johnny's ability can be an exception to that rule IMO.

[PepsiFree]

Bennett, easy.

I prefer watching Tkachuk play, but if you're building a team you go with the good young center.

Two great players though, happy the Flames don't have to choose.

[Vinny01]

Bennett as of today is on pace for 20 goals and 40pts which is a very modest 2 goal and 4pt improvement from his rookie year. He looks good on the PK and hopefully if he keeps playing with Johnny he will blow past those projections and push for 25 and 50.

Tkachuk is on pace for 17 goals and 50pts as a 18/19 year old rookie (if he played the whole season) playing tough minutes is very impressive. He plays the wing where Bennett plays center so I believe Bennett is more valuable to the team. Having said that Tkachuk is quickly becoming my favorite player with his fearless style of play

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Lil Pedro

Not sure how people can be upset with Sam Bennett; the guy is a 20 year old playing 2nd line centre for us. I am excited to see how much he progresses over the years

Plus in general his game is about more than just scoring. Same with Tkachuk for that matter. They are hard to play against and by having both, I think you get increasing returns (or more than just the sum of the parts).

They are both going to be a big part of the Flames identity moving forward.

[djsFlames]

I think Tkachuk is more consistent, and will be more consistent. While Bennett may show more "brilliance" when he's on, Tkachuk brings it on more evenings and still makes a difference, even if it isn't on the scoresheet.

That's not to downplay Bennett's potential but I see a streaky guy that's got similar numbers to last season as a 20-20 guy and it gives me flashbacks of a guy like Stempniak. He hasn't taken the ball and run at center, so the jury is still out as to whether he is the elite center in the making people have been touting, or simply a decent NHL center that's better suited on the wing.