[Rumour] Friedman: Ducks really like Sam Bennett

[dammage79]

I love Bennett but I sincerely believe Jankowski is and will be the better center. He's better suited to it. Has always been defensively more proficient at the position. Heck it's almost like they've developed at the same position coming from opposite ends. While Bennett is the better offensively and tenaciously, Janko has been better at the key parts of the position playing a more complete 200ft game during development and is a face-off wunderkind.

What I am happily anticipating is when Janko finally takes his offense to the next level and the Flames have 3 exciting and foundational centers in the coming years.

For me, Bennett really needs to explode offensively leaving the defensive starts to Backs and Jankowski. Leaving a more offensive line for Bennett.

[Freeway]

I think you want to be able to roll four lines that can drive play, though. Jankowski and Ferland on a lower line would help with that.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

I think Bennett improved by leaps and bounds defensively as a center last year, and I really hope they keep him going that way but with better line mates. Having four strong two way pivots would allow the Flames to roll 4 lines that can match up with just about anybody. Would be invaluable IMO.

Gaudreau - Monahan - External option??
M Frolik - Backlund - Brouwer
Tkachuk - Bennett - Lazar
Ferland - Jankowski - Chiasson

Stajan gone in expansion?
Bouma dealt for a mid/late round pick?

That has to be the NHL's worst RW depth.

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

That has to be the NHL's worst RW depth.

It ain't pretty, however:

1. What's the external option?
2. Does Brouwer bounce back? He's lined up with our two best two way forwards.
3. Does Lazar improve without having to battle mono?
4. The center depth is awesome if Bennett takes a step forward
5. The LW depth is stacked

Some question marks for sure, but just coming out of a rebuild it's a decent young forward group all in all.

[bigrangy]

I low-key want to see Janko tried out as a RW. He's got a wicked slapper from Kucherov Island and he protects the puck as well as Chiasson does and Colborne did while also being able to make nice touch passes to set up his linemates. He's a great puck carrier as well.

Obviously you'd way rather have extra centre depth than winger depth but I think he would make an excellent winger after a bit of an adjustment period.

[1qqaaz]

I have a feeling, based on almost nothing, that Bennett would be better developed on a different team.
His role is kind of up in the air, and he hasn't been able to embrace a certain mindset.
If he is traded, I would not be surprised to see him excel on another team.

Jankowski on the other hand probably knows his role.
With enough minutes, he could continue to develop over time.
Interesting times coming ahead.

[jlh2640]

Lets get out and get Eberle. He fills a huge need

[TheScorpion]

Originally Posted by jlh2640

Lets get out and get Eberle. He fills a huge need

Yeah, if Vegas takes Brouwer in the Expansion Draft, Eberle would be a perfect replacement! Just like Brouwer, he's overpaid with term, plays poorly in his own zone, and couldn't hit a drum.

[Calgary4LIfe]

I love Jankowksi more than most people on this board - always have, and I make no secret about it.

With that being said, I pick Jankowski comes in as a winger next season rather than either play in Stockton or play center on the 4th line.

He may one day displace Monahan, Backlund and Bennett, but it isn't going to be the start of the season at least. Flames are intent on having Bennett play center, and I can't argue with them. Monahan is a 30 goal scoring center. Backlund is playing at a Selke level.

I don't care if Jankowski is a natural center. He will get a chance to play center at the NHL level at least when an injury bug hits him. I don't want him getting 10 minutes with plugs on the 4th line. I don't want him wasting away in Stockton and perhaps plateauing there. If the Flames can't make room for him as a center in the NHL, he plays wing. There are a tonne of centers in the NHL that enter the NHL as a wing and then slowly transition back.

This team needs more skill in the top 6/9. Bennett needs someone who can actually handle the puck and keep up with is offensive IQ. Someone with soft hands. Bennett does not need another year of Brouwer on his wing. He needs a guy to combo with (and hopefully Lazar on his other wing).

Jankowski - Bennett - Lazar.

That should be a great line to get all their games up to the NHL level. You can shelter them when needed. They contribute a tonne of speed, scoring chances and should be decent defensively enough that if they get caught out there, they probably won't be a liability.

I like Stajan, and I feel he played well last year. I really think his minutes can be easily replaced though, especially if Bennett's line starts developing chemistry and earn more minutes and responsibility. Just plug in Hamilton. I think he is faster and grittier.

Gaudreau - Monahan - Ferland
Tkachuk - Backlund - Frolik
Jankowski - Bennett - Lazar (or Versteeg if re-upped)
Hathaway/Bouma - Hamilton - Brouwer/Chiasson (if re-upped)

That's pretty good in my opinion. You could completely rotate all the LW wingers as well, and even Ferland/Lazar/Versteeg (if, once again, he is re-upped).

That 4th line is a revolving door of players. I want Jankowski to get both good minutes, good line mates and as well as a good opportunity to solidify himself in the lineup. It doesn't have to be as a center (and I love him as a center as I would say he is the best pure playmaking center). He will do fine controlling the play and using his vision and defensive acumen on the left side.

[Yamer]

Eberle is the single player in the league that has dropped the most in my eyes. In the first few years I was so jealous that the Oil had a player like him. Really thought he was gonna be a heart and soul clutch goal scorer for them. He has stalled and regressed in some ways.

Would not want him on the Flames.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by jlh2640

Lets get out and get Eberle. He fills a huge need

We have a huge need to get softer and lazier?

[Love]

I'm sure Treliving would have responded with a 'so do we' and hung up the phone

[Love]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

Yeah, if Vegas takes Brouwer in the Expansion Draft, Eberle would be a perfect replacement! Just like Brouwer, he's overpaid with term, plays poorly in his own zone, and couldn't hit a drum.

I mean at least Eberle is semi-useful offensively. The only time Brouwer isn't a black hole is when he's seated on the bench

[TheScorpion]

Originally Posted by Love

I mean at least Eberle is semi-useful offensively. The only time Brouwer isn't a black hole is when he's seated on the bench

I would rather fill the spot that we'd give to Eberle with Versteeg

[bluejays]

The Flames already have the small guys filled in the lineup in Versteeg and Gaudreau. While the could be room for Eberle's skill by way of moving Versteeg, it probably wouldn't be worth the price they want anyway, so forget it. He's simply not a good fit. I'd actually like to see a guy with considerable size who can play the give and go game. Doesn't have to be physical, but the size advantage with reach and mobility would be nice. Who that player is, I have no idea.

[PugnaciousIntern]

Originally Posted by Freeway

I think you want to be able to roll four lines that can drive play, though. Jankowski and Ferland on a lower line would help with that.

Rolling 4 lines is ideal, but our forward depth right now cannot support four strong lines. With our current RW situation we barely make two by my eyes.
Can always move him back to centre once our winger depth is a bit more full.

[Harry Lime]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

That has to be the NHL's worst RW depth.

With Frolik and Lazar on the right, I honestly wouldn't mind us trying Hathaway, Poirier, Klimchuk and Prybil on the bottom two lines. I'm sure two of the four can stick, and those internal options look much better than any of the external ones that I've seen suggested.

This is assuming that we pay Vegas to take Brouwer, and Stajan is the 13th.

[Hockeyguy15]

It's funny to me how it seems like every other team likes/wants Bennett, and yet some fans are ready to move him.

[Vinny01]

I can't believe how many people are ready to love Bennett. I see him roses in trade proposals on HF like a throw in, and have had some friends and coworkers also say we should move on.

I guess the fact he didn't completely burst onto the scene like Gaudreau, Tkachuk or Monahan in his first 1-2 years. We must remain patient with Sam. Imo the earliest the team should even consider trading him is after his bridge deal is over.

[the_only_turek_fan]

Originally Posted by jlh2640

Lets get out and get Eberle. He fills a huge need

He lives here in the offseason. I can see it either this summer or when he becomes a UFA.