Flames are committed to keeping Sam Bennett at centre

[sureLoss]

http://calgaryherald.com/sports/hock...medium=twitter

“I don’t have a preference,” Bennett insisted prior to the Flames’ bye. “I’m comfortable in both positions and I can play both positions. It doesn’t really matter to me. I don’t know if I am a better centre or better winger.”

“Do I think young players that are centremen like Sam, are they more effective at wing early on in the NHL? Yeah, I do, if you can get a good veteran presence with them,” said Flames head coach Glen Gulutzan. “But if you put them in the right spot, they can develop their skill-set at centre, too. So it’s a little bit of a balancing act with a young player.

“It’s a lot harder to develop a winger and then say, ‘Oh, by the way, we need you to play 40 games at centre.’ It’s like the pickle and the cucumber, right? You can turn a cucumber into a pickle, but once you’ve got a pickle, you can’t make it into a cucumber.

“Right now, he’s finding his way. If we have to put him on the wing at some time, we would, but we’re trying to develop him. He’s going to be a good two-way centre. He is already. He’s been able to hold his own both ways, so I’d rather be able to move a centre to wing at some point than try to make him a winger and then move him back to the centre position.”

Of course, you don’t want to spoil the cucumber either.

“It’s all about slotting,” Gulutzan said. “If you slot him up into the first-line hole and say, ‘Ok, you’ve got Joe Thornton tonight, you’ve got (Ryan) Getzlaf tomorrow, you’ve got (Anze) Kopitar the next night and then you’re going to come back against (Jonathan) Toews,’ well there could be some regression there because he’s a young guy playing against established, top-of-their-class players.

“But if you slot him in the right place, you can develop in the right areas so that eventually — and I believe this — he’ll be able to play against top guys night in and night out. But there are not too many 20-year-olds yet that can.”

“When you look at Sam, what are his attributes that make you believe he’s going to be a good centre?” said Treliving, repeating the question before rolling out a detailed response. “Well, first of all, he has good speed, great quickness. He plays with tempo in his game. To me, he’s a driver. What I mean by that is he’s an attacker. He attacks seams. He can push defencemen back. He takes pucks to the net. His is an abrasive game. It’s a north-south game. It’s not necessarily one where there’s a lot of east-west into it. Sam, he’s a direct player.

“And then he has the ability to make plays. He has good vision. He can distribute the puck. He can shoot the puck. He can do a lot of things. And subtly, and people might not see this, he’s starting to expand his role. He’s seeing penalty-killing time. And not only is that good in terms of the immediate, because he’s doing a good job at it … But also it’s a way to continue to build that defensive side of his game.”

Because the Flames aren’t simply trying to develop a centre.

They’re trying to develop a top-tier, two-way centre.

[GranteedEV]

Always been a no brainer to me that he is a natural centre.

[GreenLantern2814]

Fair enough.

I predict a strong finish from Bennett. I see him benefiting from 5 days off more than anybody else.

[ComixZone]

Good to see the organization having patience for player development. Player development is the backbone of developing a winning team, and patience is absolutely crucial.

Bennett has been playing better as of late, and I imagine it will continue to trend that way.

[Canada 02]

all the Flames need to do is look at how being patient has paid off for Backlund, and Bennett is miles ahead of Backs at the same stage in their respective careers

[1Nite]

I think someone has been reading CP.

Sam is the highest Calgary Flames draft pick ever, and drafted at centre, as GG said if you're trying to push him into the 1 centre, then you will have problems, but as #3 he is progressing, maybe a bit slowly for some, but he should be there in time, with his skill set.

[MisterJoji]

What stood out to me is the reminder that this kid is still only 20 years old. It's hard not to become overzealous in expectation given those who have come into the league and were an immediate star at 20 years old. Crosby, McDavid, Toews, Kopitar, Stamkos, Bergeron, Malkin ... there are a few. But there is also a long list of top quality centers that needed a few years before reaching their full potential.

Ryan Getzlaf: didn't have his breakout season until he was 23 and had 39 points his 20 year old season.

Joe Thornton: didn't really explode until he was 24 and had 41 points in his 20 year old season.

Eric Staal: didn't break out until age 22 and had 31 points in his 20 year old season.

Vlad Tarasenko: didn't make an impact until he was 24 and scored 9 points in 15 games as a 20 year old (KHL).

Claude Giroux: didn't break out until age 23, had 27 points as a 20 year old and then 47 as a 21 year old.

Pavel Datsyuk: didn't make his debut in the NHL until 23 (scored 35 points) and didn't really make an impact until 2 years later.

Aside from Datsyuk every other player was also a first round pick ranging from 1-22. There's still a chasm of development left for Bennett but you can see glimpses of his raw skill. Look how long it took Backlund to be a full time top 6 player. Anyone wanting to trade Bennett now is crazy, barring a ridiculous return.

[MarkGio]

Of course it doesn't hurt that Bennett's on an ELC and struggling before he signs his bridge

[Da_Chief]

Originally Posted by MisterJoji

What stood out to me is the reminder that this kid is still only 20 years old. It's hard not to become overzealous in expectation given those who have come into the league and were an immediate star at 20 years old. Crosby, McDavid, Toews, Kopitar, Stamkos, Bergeron, Malkin ... there are a few. But there is also a long list of top quality centers that needed a few years before reaching their full potential.

Ryan Getzlaf: didn't have his breakout season until he was 23 and had 39 points his 20 year old season.

Joe Thornton: didn't really explode until he was 24 and had 41 points in his 20 year old season.

Eric Staal: didn't break out until age 22 and had 31 points in his 20 year old season.

Vlad Tarasenko: didn't make an impact until he was 24 and scored 9 points in 15 games as a 20 year old (KHL).

Claude Giroux: didn't break out until age 23, had 27 points as a 20 year old and then 47 as a 21 year old.

Pavel Datsyuk: didn't make his debut in the NHL until 23 (scored 35 points) and didn't really make an impact until 2 years later.

Aside from Datsyuk every other player was also a first round pick ranging from 1-22. There's still a chasm of development left for Bennett but you can see glimpses of his raw skill. Look how long it took Backlund to be a full time top 6 player. Anyone wanting to trade Bennett now is crazy, barring a ridiculous return.

Now some actual facts.

Ryan Getzlaf:
In his first year (age = 20) had 39 points in 57 games. Next year (age = 21) he had 58 in 82.
0.7 ppg in first 2 years.
http://www.hockey-reference.com/play...getzlry01.html

Joe Thornton:
Age 18: 55 Games: 7 Points
Age 19: 81 Games: 41 Points
Age 20: 81 Games: 60 Points
Age 21: 72 Games: 71 Points
By his 3rd full season, he was a ppg.
http://www.hockey-reference.com/play...thornjo01.html

Eric Staal:
In his rookie year he had 31 points as a 20 year old.
In his 2nd season he had 100 points as a 21 year old.
http://www.hockey-reference.com/play...staaler01.html

Vlad Tarasenko:
First full NHL season at age 22, he had 43 points in 64 games.
Second full season at age 23, he had 73 points in 77, including 37 goals.
http://www.hockey-reference.com/play...tarasvl01.html

Claude Giroux:
First Half Season: Age: 21, Games: 42, Points: 27
First Full Season: Age: 22, Games 82, Points: 47
Second Full Season: Age: 23, Games 82, Points: 76
http://www.hockey-reference.com/play...giroucl01.html

Backlund took 7-8 years to become what he is. Good luck to anyone who wants to wait that long.

Sam Bennett:
First Full Season: Age 19, Games: 77, Points: 36
Second Full Season: Age 20, Games: 55, Points 20
http://www.hockey-reference.com/play...bennesa01.html

Basically you tried to move numbers around in order justify his horrendous play all season. The guys you listed were trending upwards and becoming stars. Bennett looks nothing more then a 3rd liner at best right now.

Forget points from all these players. If you honestly think Bennett has played remotely well at anytime this season then you're lying to yourself. 20 year old yada yada yada excuses...this is a league where every year younger guys are coming in playing well, he is expected to do the same, now would be the time to start.

I sure as hell hope he can figure it out otherwise what a wasted pick.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by Canada 02

all the Flames need to do is look at how being patient has paid off for Backlund, and Bennett is miles ahead of Backs at the same stage in their respective careers

Both offensively and defensively. Backlund really started to develop his two-way game at 22. Bennett at 20 plays just over a minute per game on the PK (Backlund, Frolik lead at 2mins/per) and I think he's done well for himself.

[Two Fivenagame]

Originally Posted by Da_Chief

Now some actual facts.

Ryan Getzlaf:
In his first year (age = 20) had 39 points in 57 games. Next year (age = 21) he had 58 in 82.
0.7 ppg in first 2 years.
http://www.hockey-reference.com/play...getzlry01.html

Joe Thornton:
Age 18: 55 Games: 7 Points
Age 19: 81 Games: 41 Points
Age 20: 81 Games: 60 Points
Age 21: 72 Games: 71 Points
By his 3rd full season, he was a ppg.
http://www.hockey-reference.com/play...thornjo01.html

Eric Staal:
In his rookie year he had 31 points as a 20 year old.
In his 2nd season he had 100 points as a 21 year old.
http://www.hockey-reference.com/play...staaler01.html

Vlad Tarasenko:
First full NHL season at age 22, he had 43 points in 64 games.
Second full season at age 23, he had 73 points in 77, including 37 goals.
http://www.hockey-reference.com/play...tarasvl01.html

Claude Giroux:
First Half Season: Age: 21, Games: 42, Points: 27
First Full Season: Age: 22, Games 82, Points: 47
Second Full Season: Age: 23, Games 82, Points: 76
http://www.hockey-reference.com/play...giroucl01.html

Backlund took 7-8 years to become what he is. Good luck to anyone who wants to wait that long.

Sam Bennett:
First Full Season: Age 19, Games: 77, Points: 36
Second Full Season: Age 20, Games: 55, Points 20
http://www.hockey-reference.com/play...bennesa01.html

Basically you tried to move numbers around in order justify his horrendous play all season. The guys you listed were trending upwards and becoming stars. Bennett looks nothing more then a 3rd liner at best right now.

Forget points from all these players. If you honestly think Bennett has played remotely well at anytime this season then you're lying to yourself. 20 year old yada yada yada excuses...this is a league where every year younger guys are coming in playing well, he is expected to do the same, now would be the time to start.

I sure as hell hope he can figure it out otherwise what a wasted pick.

Da_Chief vs MisterJoji

[GoJetsGo]

Originally Posted by Da_Chief

Forget points from all these players. If you honestly think Bennett has played remotely well at anytime this season then you're lying to yourself. 20 year old yada yada yada excuses...this is a league where every year younger guys are coming in playing well, he is expected to do the same, now would be the time to start.

I sure as hell hope he can figure it out otherwise what a wasted pick.

Wow.

What a brutal, impatient over-dramatic take.

So glad you're not anywhere near an actual position of player evaluation.

[Anduril]

I see the pickle makes another appearance.

[MrMastodonFarm]

I like how he had to extend Thornton, basically giving him time to mature, to a four year window, but Bennett is trending to be a 3rd liner. Also love the fact that the first games player only matter totally ignoring their respective ages. Would it be better if Bennett didn't play for two more seasons like Tarasenko?

If you honestly think Bennett has played remotely well at anytime this season then you're lying to yourself. 20 year old yada yada yada excuses.

Did they say that? Did anyone suggest that?

20 years old isn't an excuse? Reminds me of the guys raging on Hamilton saying 22 isn't an excuse.

[Jacks]

Originally Posted by Da_Chief

I sure as hell hope he can figure it out otherwise what a wasted pick.

The clear #5 ranked guy was Dal Colle who isn't terribly impressive. Unless you are saying that we should have traded our highest ever draft pick?

[blender]

Bennett will be fine.
He has played well at times this season. I have faith that Flames management is handling his development properly. He may not turn out to be an elite center, but I believe he will be a solid core piece for the Flames.

There are only six centers Bennett's age or younger with more points than him this season. Four of them are McDavid, Matthews and Marner and Eichel. I'm not worried.

[Da_Chief]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

I like how he had to extend Thornton, basically giving him time to mature, to a four year window, but Bennett is trending to be a 3rd liner. Also love the fact that the first games player only matter totally ignoring their respective ages. Would it be better if Bennett didn't play for two more seasons like Tarasenko?


Did they say that? Did anyone suggest that?

20 years old isn't an excuse? Reminds me of the guys raging on Hamilton saying 22 isn't an excuse.

Yet you thank a cherry picked/false post by Misterjoji.

Thornton was a 0.75 ppg player at age 20, Bennett? 0.36 ppg.

Tarasenko at age 20, in KHL had 47 points in 54 games.

I don't really give a poop about the name on the back as long as they play well for the logo on the front. Bennett has not done that.

All the fanboys can defend him as much as they want to, but the facts are right there.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Thornton age 20, 3rd year.
Tarasenko age 20, no years.

Maybe stop cherry picking yourself.

[MarkGio]

Bennett's criticism is valid. He's started in the offensive zone 60% of the time and he's averaged nearly 2 mins of PP time. He's on pace for 29 points!

It's not like he hasn't played with good mates either. Johnny has lined beside him for 31% of his games. And it's not like he's had high quality opponents.

But looking at it Bennett has struggled in the 3rd and 2nd quarter, where he's playing more with Brouwer and Chiasson. He's had some garbage linemates and his production plummets. No surprise

[JiriHrdina]

Hard to argue with a pickle based theory