Practice notes Jan 4

[Textcritic]

I just struggle to see Bennett finding much success in any offensive role. He was really good in playoffs because he never stopped skating, and he hit everything that moved. But players CANNOT play that way for any sustained length of time, and I don't think Bennett possesses tbe requisite skills to make him an effective scoring forward.

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[AC]

Maybe, worth giving him and Dube a long look though IMO. They clicked nicely in the regular season as well when Ryan was out with an injury.

[Burning Beard]

I'm glad they have a couple of new guys that they can plug in up and down the lineup.

I also think that it's good they play 3 games then have a 5 day break right out of the gate. Give them the time to make any adjustments to the system after seeing what chemistry develops with the new lines.

[Calgary4LIfe]

I think Bennett COULD be a reliable scoring forward if given the chance/line mates. No, he will definitely not be playing the way he was during the playoffs from a physicality point of view - if he does, he will be in and out of the lineup all season. However, I do think that given some rope to gain both confidence and chemistry with regular line mates, it isn't out of the question to seem him develop his offensive game.


I do like the fact that he is speedy and has made solid defensive plays, plus he can be a force in games that do end up getting chippy. He won't shy away. I am hoping that the Flames just give him a regular role with decent line mates and see what he ends up doing with it.

[DazzlinDino]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

I think Bennett COULD be a reliable scoring forward if given the chance/line mates. No, he will definitely not be playing the way he was during the playoffs from a physicality point of view - if he does, he will be in and out of the lineup all season. However, I do think that given some rope to gain both confidence and chemistry with regular line mates, it isn't out of the question to seem him develop his offensive game.


I do like the fact that he is speedy and has made solid defensive plays, plus he can be a force in games that do end up getting chippy. He won't shy away. I am hoping that the Flames just give him a regular role with decent line mates and see what he ends up doing with it.

With teams playing more games against each other we might just see a bit more of playoff Bennett. Plus, with some quality wingers who can actually convert there will be a bit more offense to his game. As AC mentioned earlier the added depth may have positive trickle down effect allowing stronger and more balanced lines.

[FusionX]

While it's true Bennett hasn't been able to show consistent offensive numbers since his first season, from what I remember, his advanced stats were generally positive and lack of finish (both him and his linemates) being what held back his actual point totals.

I think at least giving this a shot does a few things: rewards Bennett with his natural position and linemates where if he truly cannot produce, there's not much further to be said and also gives Gaudreau a more dynamic line with much more speed to play a transition game. Johnny just doesn't fit the forecheck and grind player which IMO Mony and Lindholm seem to be more accustomed to?

Regardless, at least for me, if they give this line (or something similar), I would finally be satisfied that we've given Bennett every chance to succeed. I still can't shake the feeling that if we don't try and trade him away, it'll come back to bite us.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

I think Bennett COULD be a reliable scoring forward if given the chance/line mates. No, he will definitely not be playing the way he was during the playoffs from a physicality point of view - if he does, he will be in and out of the lineup all season. However, I do think that given some rope to gain both confidence and chemistry with regular line mates, it isn't out of the question to seem him develop his offensive game...

Watch those playoff highlights again. Bennett makes a lot of room for himself and others with his relentless physical play, which is great. But he still carries the puck like a grenade, and his vision and distribution are maybe average.

I love the idea of keeping him on the third line with Lucic and Dube—at least until Dube takes the next step that I think we all believe he can and will. And I think he can have a lot of success in that role—I still see him topping out as a really important 35–40-point middle-six centre. But again, Bennett's shortcomings have never only been the quality of his line mates; he has also been hampered by fairly ordinary NHL puck- and passing-skills.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by FusionX

...I think at least giving this a shot does a few things: rewards Bennett with his natural position and linemates where if he truly cannot produce, there's not much further to be said and also gives Gaudreau a more dynamic line with much more speed to play a transition game. Johnny just doesn't fit the forecheck and grind player which IMO Mony and Lindholm seem to be more accustomed to?...

Bennett is a lot of things; "dynamic" is not one of them.

[DeluxeMoustache]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

Bennett is a lot of things; "dynamic" is not one of them.

How so? If a guy who used to be skating one direction is suddenly flying another direction due to Bennett’s influence, is that not him being dynamic?

[DeluxeMoustache]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

Watch those playoff highlights again. Bennett makes a lot of room for himself and others with his relentless physical play, which is great. But he still carries the puck like a grenade, and his vision and distribution are maybe average.

I love the idea of keeping him on the third line with Lucic and Dube—at least until Dube takes the next step that I think we all believe he can and will. And I think he can have a lot of success in that role—I still see him topping out as a really important 35–40-point middle-six centre. But again, Bennett's shortcomings have never only been the quality of his line mates; he has also been hampered by fairly ordinary NHL puck- and passing-skills.

You can’t solve the multidimensional statement you pose in written and theoretical form. It must be hypothesized, observed and measured experimentally

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by DeluxeMoustache

How so? If a guy who used to be skating one direction is suddenly flying another direction due to Bennett’s influence, is that not him being dynamic?

To me, "dynamic" communicates an array of creativity and skill that keeps the opposition guessing about what the player is going to do. It requires very high end vision and puck-handling skills to go with an ability to process the play at the highest speed. Bennett has never once played that way in his entire NHL career.

[DeluxeMoustache]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

To me, "dynamic" communicates an array of creativity and skill that keeps the opposition guessing about what the player is going to do. It requires very high end vision and puck-handling skills to go with an ability to process the play at the highest speed. Bennett has never once played that way in his entire NHL career.

How about the simpler view of influencing on ice events by virtue of style of play?

An engaged Bennett is no wallflower

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by DeluxeMoustache

You can’t solve the multidimensional statement you pose in written and theoretical form. It must be hypothesized, observed and measured experimentally

This is just simply false.

Players who possess high-end IQ and puck-handling skills are easy to spot even while playing limited minutes, and with much lesser-skilled players. Dube has played in essentially the same situations as Bennett, and yet one can easily see the things that make offensive players successful; I don't see those things operating at the same level with Bennett.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by DeluxeMoustache

How about the simpler view of influencing on ice events by virtue of style of play?

An engaged Bennett is no wallflower

I never said he was a "wallflower." Bennett is an extremely useful player who can contribute offensively, but not because of his ability to make high-end skill plays. He won't have that sort of influence in a scoring role without that tool in his tool box.

[DeluxeMoustache]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

I never said he was a "wallflower." Bennett is an extremely useful player who can contribute offensively, but not because of his ability to make high-end skill plays. He won't have that sort of influence in a scoring role without that tool in his tool box.

No, you didn’t say wallflower, I was trying to be succinct. Supporting the idea of definition of ‘dynamic’

So the word dynamic to me would have more to do, in hockey, with influencing on ice events by virtue of style of play, which may not primarily be the attributes of puck handling and vision.

Not that I see the same issues you see. We all have seen Janko and others bungling his setups. And disallowed goals. Little things beyond his control that, if he was successful with, would bolster confidence. In sustained deployment with good linemates he has been productive. We won’t revisit the linemate data

We can and will for now disagree. I would be looking for Bennett to be effective and productive, not nitpicking over the means, or view of what constitutes ‘dynamic’.

There are lots of effective NHLers that succeed with particular skill sets. Dave Andreychuk went to the front of the net, took a lot of cross checks and banged in garbage.

Bennett can succeed here in the right situation. But it will depend on complementary linemates

[FusionX]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

Bennett is a lot of things; "dynamic" is not one of them.

I can see your point, but to me, being dynamic equates to being able to make something happen (hopefully positive) on the ice. Sure, he's not dynamic if you compare him with someone say MacKinnon (extreme example I know) who seemingly makes things happen out of nowhere. However, I would argue that he certainly did make positive chances happen in the playoffs, so while not sustainable, I wouldn't go so far as to say he can't be dynamic.

Also, the reference to Johnny is talking both in comparison (more dynamic) and when looked at line vs line. Even if I concede your point of Bennett perhaps not being deemed dynamic by some, I would still say that overall, a line with him and Dube on it is more dynamic than with Mony and Lindholm. This is even taking into account their really good year, I'd say they were productive, but not necessarily dynamic?

*Edit: In retrospect, it appears my last sentence contradicts what I feel to be dynamic. I would have to concede that the really good year for Johnny's line would have been dynamic since they created many positive chances. Perhaps I'm thinking more dynamic = better transition, speed game? Regardless, if you only look at this last year, I feel my definition of not being dynamic would be accurate for the 1st line.

[DeluxeMoustache]

nm

[btimbit]

Originally Posted by New Era

So much for Bennett at center.

I prefer trying Lindholm at centre before Bennett, and not enough room in the lineup to try both at the same time. Unless you want Bennett on the fourth line, I sure don't

[CliffFletcher]

I don’t think Bennet has the defensive acumen to be a regular centre. When a bottom-six forward who can skate well doesn’t get any time on the PK unit, it should set off alarm bells.

[Lanny_McDonald]

Bennett is in a precarious situation. Treliving has added a lot more depth to the lineup and those additions are players who can contribute on any line. These players have the potential to knock Bennett down the lineup and depending on his play, right out of the lineup. There are only so many spots available and the guys who earn it will be in the lineup. Unless "Playoff Sam" shows up, Bennett will be on a steady diet of popcorn. And that is without taking into consideration any of the young players stepping up and taking a run at a position. Bennett is a one trick pony and if he isn't playing that physical role all the time, he isn't worth having in the lineup.