[News] Bennett Out 4-6 Months with Shoulder Surgery *UPDATE* Back Skating

[GranteedEV]

Bennett is skilled. From what little I've seen

- His backhand is very advanced for his age. Both as a passer and shooter.
- His hand-eye-coordination is elite, even during intense chaotic sequences where many would give up on a possession, he can complete plays calmly.
- His first step with the puck is dynamite. This will be his bread-and-butter in the NHL as a playmaker/puck handler.

Really, if you ask me my concerns over Bennett, it's how quickly he can adapt to this team's disciplined, no-penalty play and how quickly he can be a Selke candidate () . Not whether he's capable offensively.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

Bennett is skilled. From what little I've seen

- His backhand is very advanced for his age. Both as a passer and shooter.
- His hand-eye-coordination is elite, even during intense chaotic sequences where many would give up on a possession, he can complete plays calmly.
- His first step with the puck is dynamite. This will be his bread-and-butter in the NHL as a playmaker/puck handler.

Really, if you ask me my concerns over Bennett, it's how quickly he can adapt to this team's disciplined, no-penalty play and how quickly he can be a Selke candidate () . Not whether he's capable offensively.

True, but the whole thing got started with my response to a post about Bennett making the NHL now because he's more "skilled" than Gaudreau. My comment (not speaking to others' comments) was specifically that the skill is different and therefore one making it has no predictive power towards the other making it

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

True, but the whole thing got started with my response to a post about Bennett making the NHL now because he's more "skilled" than Gaudreau. My comment (not speaking to others' comments) was specifically that the skill is different and therefore one making it has no predictive power towards the other making it

I get what you're saying, but I think what people are saying to you is that, even though their skill sets are different, the level of their skill is pretty comparable.

And that would imply - though certainly not guarantee - that he can also succeed immediately.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

I get what you're saying, but I think what people are saying to you is that, even though their skill sets are different, the level of their skill is pretty comparable.

And that would imply - though certainly not guarantee - that he can also succeed immediately.

I would argue that Bennett's "type" of skill requires a lot more shielding the puck and checking which require a physical maturity that Gaudreau's simply doesn't. That's why I think Gaudreau is irrelevant in this comparison

[Locke]

I still cannot believe that the Oilers took Draisaitl over this kid and he fell to us at 4.

[Robbob]

I also still can't believe that he fell. I hope he has a career in the NHL that make the Oilers seethe.

[stemit14]

Originally Posted by Locke

I still cannot believe that the Oilers took Draisaitl over this kid and he fell to us at 4.

Me too. It seemed from most of the draft rankings that the vast majority of scouts had Bennett ranked higher. Yet it was no secret that the oilers were going to take draisaitl if ekblad didn't drop to them. While the rankings had draisaitl at 4th/5th... The majority of draft projections had draisaitl going 3rd only because the oilers were determined to get the guy that was big and was the most "NHL-ready"so they could pencil him as their 2nd line center before training camp even started. I think in the long run it will prove to be a huge mistake by the oilers. Just add it to the very, very long list of mistakes.

[GioforPM]

This ^^^. Predraft the Oilers were constantly told they were too small, so they overcompensated.

[CaptainYooh]

Every time I look at this thread title and hope it changes finally...

[Weitz]

Bennett better live up to the hype he is getting here.

[Buff]

Originally Posted by Locke

I still cannot believe that the Oilers took Draisaitl over this kid and he fell to us at 4.

I can understand Ekblad going 1st. I can understand Ekblad being picked ahead of Bennett. He was an exceptional defenseman, and in hindsight, he's proving that he was deserving to be the 1st overall pick, and only halfway into his 1st season to boot!

I can understand Buffalo picking Reinhart over Bennett. It was pretty much a wash between these two guys all along. Some people said Reinhart and some guys said Bennett was better.

What I cannot understand is how Draisaitl got picked ahead of Bennett. The Oilers needed size now but I feel that Draisaitl was that much behind the top three in terms of talent and impact he'll have in the NHL. Much remains to be seen, but even if you needed a big centerman you still take the best player available and pickup size through trades or free agency. I don't think Draisaitl is going to make much impact in the NHL, especially as much as Bennett or Reinhart and definitely not as an Oiler.

[dammage79]

I wouldn't say Bennett fell at all. It was more of a coin flip as to who Buffalo was going to take between the two Sams and Edmonton's choice was leaked a couple of months before the draft so there was really no surprise there when they took Leon.

Bennett is/was the perfect choice for the Flames. I mean I personally would have taken Ekblad if there was a choice but Bennett was absolutely the #2 choice, and there was no real gap between Ekblad and Bennett. End of the day though, any of the top four from the 2014 draft would be an amazing pick . Too Bad the Oilers like to ruin their kids right out of the gate. I like Draisaitl.

[Robo]

it's not like draisaitl is much bigger then bennett i thought they were comparable in height

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Buff

I can understand Ekblad going 1st. I can understand Ekblad being picked ahead of Bennett. He was an exceptional defenseman, and in hindsight, he's proving that he was deserving to be the 1st overall pick, and only halfway into his 1st season to boot!

I can understand Buffalo picking Reinhart over Bennett. It was pretty much a wash between these two guys all along. Some people said Reinhart and some guys said Bennett was better.

What I cannot understand is how Draisaitl got picked ahead of Bennett. The Oilers needed size now but I feel that Draisaitl was that much behind the top three in terms of talent and impact he'll have in the NHL. Much remains to be seen, but even if you needed a big centerman you still take the best player available and pickup size through trades or free agency. I don't think Draisaitl is going to make much impact in the NHL, especially as much as Bennett or Reinhart and definitely not as an Oiler.

I look back on that draft and you can conclusively state that Ekblad was a consensus #1 even if your team didnt need defencemen, hes just that good.

But Bennett likely could have or arguably should have gone second.

I cant wait to see this kid on the ice.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Weitz

Bennett better live up to the hype he is getting here.

What hype specifically? That he's skilled or that many lists had him ranked higher than Draisaitl.

I see both of those as fact more than hype.

I don't see franchise center, guaranteed hall of fame, franchise leader in goals and points in today's discussion.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by Robo

it's not like draisaitl is much bigger then bennett i thought they were comparable in height

Draisaitl has like 20lbs on him though I think

[heep223]

Originally Posted by Weitz

Bennett better live up to the hype he is getting here.

Johnny has exceeded his hype so far (which I didn't think was possible). Keeping fingers crossed that Bennett has what it takes to exceed his.

[RyZ]

Originally Posted by Weitz

Bennett better live up to the hype he is getting here.

Or what?

[Lumby Lager]

Originally Posted by Weitz

Bennett better live up to the hype he is getting here.

I am about to read and enjoy 25-100 really long, fact driven replies!

[Rick M.]

Originally Posted by RyZ

Or what?

Or not?