What is up with Sam Bennett???

[Rick M.]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

Being a top center is the hardest thing to do in the NHL in my opinion. Rarely does a young player come out and become a top center man during his ELC.

Give it time, and he'll ripen. He's got all the tools and I'm not worried one iota. We were spoiled with how Monahan developed, and that's the exception not the norm.

And yet, there have been CP threads about Monahan's failure to develop.

[burnitdown]

Originally Posted by Rick M.

And yet, there have been CP threads about Monahan's failure to develop.

Some may complain about his failure to develop and that's likely premature (and probably wrong at this point). I think the valid concerns are that he's not living up to the value of his contract...and that's a fair critique.

[Par]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

Well, Brouwer seemed to be that guy in the preseason.

I think Gabriel Landeskog, would do well with Bennett.

[Rick M.]

I think a lot of the CP angst over Bennett's developmental curve (and that of Monahan, too, for that matter) is fed by the POSSIBILITY that the hated Oilers have turned the corner and MIGHT leave us behind. It's causing us to lose patience and forget that these are young players.

[Enoch Root]

I find the idea of a Bennett - Jankowski - Tkachuk line intriguing (for next year).

[FlamesFan68]

I agree with your assessment of Bennett.

At the time I said send him back to junior, he's not Monahan who had Gaudreau and Hudler on his wing. Let him tear a new hole in the OHL and come back with 70 goals 110 assists. With Bennett it's nothing physical, like his shoulder issue was as a rookie. It's all mental. He's swinging his stick like a madman out there getting into early penalty trouble. There's a way to strip the puck off opposing players, if he needs a lesson get it from Gaudreau, he's exceptional at it. His role model is Gilmour, Gilmour was an intense individual that always had a knack for being in the right place at the right time and doing the right things. This takes time to learn.

Unfortunately, we're now stuck with a player where his confidence is taking huge swings, and he must play through it like a professional.

[OutOfTheCube]

There's a reason the term 'sophomore slump' exists.

If you're still having this conversation two years from now then you might be in trouble.

[4X4]

Originally Posted by OzSome

He is not like a Monahan or a Gaudreau who can adapt to the NHL so fast.

Are we in Italy? What's with the extra 'a' when talking about someone specific? Is he also not like the Gaudreaus and the Monahans?

It's the sports talk equivalent of saying 'like' every 3 seconds. Stop. Please.

Riiight?

[Ozy_Flame]

Originally Posted by 4X4

Are we in Italy? What's with the extra 'a' when talking about someone specific? Is he also not like the Gaudreaus and the Monahans?

It's the sports talk equivalent of saying 'like' every 3 seconds. Stop. Please.

Riiight?

lol who cares

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by 4X4

Are we in Italy? What's with the extra 'a' when talking about someone specific? Is he also not like the Gaudreaus and the Monahans?

Ah, but you see, Gaudreau and Monahan come in six-packs. This is why Gulutzan needs to be fired: for some stupid reason, he only puts one of his Gaudreaus and one of his Monahans on the ice at a time.

[4X4]

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

lol who cares

Apparently I do, hence my post. Was it not clear? Did I need to sign my post?

4x4

[PeteMoss]

An interesting comparable is Dylan Larkin. They were born 10 days apart and didn't really play in the NHL in their first year post draft (for different reasons). Larkin is similarly falling short of expectations this year (15 points, less than Bennett although in 2 less games).

[activeStick]

Originally Posted by devo22

20 years old, 2nd year pro, growing pains, still adjusting to playing center in the NHL.

Some fans really have no patience anymore.

These statements bug me. I'm sorry. The OP didn't indicate anywhere in his post anything that should lead you to this conclusion.

Bennett's struggling this year and his observations are correct. That doesn't make the OP impatient.

Get a grip. It's okay to talk about struggling Flames, like Bennett, Monahan and Brodie. Doesn't mean flames should trade them.

[Ozy_Flame]

The sophomore year struggle is not an uncommon scenario for guys right out of juniors.

[Pipty]

Originally Posted by 4X4

Apparently I do, hence my post. Was it not clear? Did I need to sign my post?

4x4

Here comes the grammar police again be careful or he might not want to read your posts anymore... Or more like have to respond somehow

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by burnitdown

Some may complain about his failure to develop and that's likely premature (and probably wrong at this point). I think the valid concerns are that he's not living up to the value of his contract...and that's a fair critique.

No it's not actually. The type of deals Monahan signed are structured in a way that if things work the way you hope, they are likely to be an overpayment in the first couple of years, but are value contracts in the back half of the deals when the player is peaking so you can compliment them with the support players needed.

While it would be a nice bonus if Mono earned or exceed value in this first year of the contract, anyone who was expecting him to be a 6milion plus player this year simply doesn't understand the point and structure behind these new long term second contracts.

[FBI]

If Bennett has to have his breakout season next year after he signs the contract, I'm ok with that.

[4X4]

Originally Posted by Pipty

Here comes the grammar police again be careful or he might not want to read your posts anymore... Or more like have to respond somehow

I sense butthurt, but since your post is so poorly constructed (as usual), I can't be sure. Didn't bother reading it enough times to decipher.

[The Fonz]

Originally Posted by Rick M.

I think a lot of the CP angst over Bennett's developmental curve (and that of Monahan, too, for that matter) is fed by the POSSIBILITY that the hated Oilers have turned the corner and MIGHT leave us behind. It's causing us to lose patience and forget that these are young players.

And more specifically, Draisaitl's success. With Draisaitl on his way to a 70pt season, there has definitely been a loss of patience with Bennett and an insecurity that Draisaitl is going to be a better player. My perception anyway.

[EVERLAST]

When I think of a Michael Backlund that was given as much time as he has been given to slowly become the player he has I wonder if we are just as patient with Sam how awesome hell be.
How many coaches has Backs seen in his time....5? 6?

Bennet will be fine...