Does Dube make the team?

[djsFlames]

The wheels on the Bennett go round and round, round and round...

[FBI]

Whats the deal with posters with Monahan in their usernames hating Bennett?

[Drunk Uncle]

Originally Posted by Monahan For Mayor

I really don't see this selke caliber play that some people see in Bennett. Yes he continues to improve his defensive game and it is pretty solid, but I think it gets over rated by some posters. On the other hand the guy can't produce any offence. The last two seasons he has been bad offensively and so far this pre season is struggling to produce again. In saying this I really don't think it's out of realm to see a guy like Dube outplay him. I think Dube is a better offensive player today, Bennett has a better defensive game. If I had to put money on which on can improve their weakness it would be Dube. Dube oozes hockey iq and just keeps getting better. I really don't think it's far fetched to think a guy like Dube could push Bennett down the depth chart.

Dube isn't pushing Bennett out of the line-up, but I wouldn't be surprised if Dube passes Bennett in the line-up during the year.

[Stanley]

I'm starting to kinda feel bad for Bennett. I love how he battles and more often comes out on the winning side of puck battles, he can really hit guys, shows flashes of the dangles, he's only getting better defensively...now if he could just pop in a goal every few games top get his offensive confidence back and shut people up.

[ComixZone]

Originally Posted by Stanley

I'm starting to kinda feel bad for Bennett. I love how he battles and more often comes out on the winning side of puck battles, he can really hit guys, shows flashes of the dangles, he's only getting better defensively...now if he could just pop in a goal every few games top get his offensive confidence back and shut people up.

I also just don’t see why people don’t see a spot for him. The best line-up we could ice right now is:

Gaudreau - Monahan - Lindholm
Tkachuk - Backlund - Czarnik
Bennett - Jankowski - Neal
Dube - Ryan - Frolik
Hathaway, Lazar

If people want to argue who should be on the “3rd” or “4th” line - then have at it, but I think they’d be missing the point of how the team has been constructed.

In 5v5 play, I don’t think we’re going to see huge variations between “Line 1” and “Line 4”. This team is built to roll 4 lines, push the pace, and then allow the higher end offensive players to gain additional minutes on the PP - although even on that front it looks like we’re going to actively deploy two PP units and not force it with one. Same can be said with the solid defensive players - they’ll gain extra minutes on the PK while their 5v5 minutes look similar to others. I also look at Jankowski and Bennett as guys likely to be used on the PK.

If Peters comes as promised, this team is going to push the pace and roll 4 lines. I’m excited.

[The Boy Wonder]

Bennett = Backlund circa 2012 - 2014

Just getting ripped to shreds.

For people who hate his game, go watch the season highlights video, it may give you a new appreciation for just how good he is along the boards and actually has some solid hockey IQ.

https://forum.calgarypuck.com/showth...nett+Highlight

[JohnnyTitan]

Originally Posted by Stanley

I'm starting to kinda feel bad for Bennett. I love how he battles and more often comes out on the winning side of puck battles, he can really hit guys, shows flashes of the dangles, he's only getting better defensively...now if he could just pop in a goal every few games top get his offensive confidence back and shut people up.

That brings up a good question actually -> what would shut people up?

Some people...nothing short of a Hart would do it. They are just haters for some reason?

But seriously? His rookie campaign was 18-18 = 36 pts. People were happy and excited.

He's still just 22 this season

Backlund (late bloomer) went 21G in his 26-year-old season.

Monahan went 27G + 31A = 58P in his 22 yr old campaign.

Ferland just went 21G + 20A = 41P in a career year in which he mostly played top-line with M&G. At age 25.

Can we agree that everyone would be happy with 22G + 25A = 47P this season? Sniffing Mony numbers at the same age and well ahead of Backs and Ferland at a younger age without the luxury of PP or Gaudreau?

How about a PK specialist, drawing as many penalties as taking and going 20-20 with third line minutes and no PP time?

[Monahan For Mayor]

Originally Posted by FBI

Whats the deal with posters with Monahan in their usernames hating Bennett?

If you are talking about me I don't hate Bennett. What did I say that points to me disliking Bennett ? I think I made a fair argument about his game.

[Monahan For Mayor]

The difference between Backlund and Bennetts situation is we had a weak roster when Backlund was Bennetts age. Right now we have the best forward depth in how many years ? Bennett mite be ahead of Dube, Foo, Mangipanne right now but those guys are all catching up by the looks of it.

[Stanley]

Originally Posted by Monahan For Mayor

The difference between Backlund and Bennetts situation is we had a weak roster when Backlund was Bennetts age. Right now we have the best forward depth in how many years ? Bennett mite be ahead of Dube, Foo, Mangipanne right now but those guys are all catching up by the looks of it.

Those guys may be catching up, but let's see a larger sample size of Dube and Eatbread battling it out VS real NHL competition before deeming how close they really are.

[Monahan For Mayor]

Originally Posted by Stanley

Those guys may be catching up, but let's see a larger sample size of Dube and Eatbread battling it out VS real NHL competition before deeming how close they really are.

Yup absolutely.

[JetsFlamesFan]

Originally Posted by Monahan For Mayor

The difference between Backlund and Bennetts situation is we had a weak roster when Backlund was Bennetts age. Right now we have the best forward depth in how many years ? Bennett mite be ahead of Dube, Foo, Mangipanne right now but those guys are all catching up by the looks of it.

The main reason people rag on him so much IMO is just because of the higher expectations people have of a 4th overall pick vs. 24th overall (Backlund). And I think the expectation and ideal situation was that Bennett would be our 2nd line centre and Backlund would be our 3rd line centre, but it just hasn't panned out. Backlund was only our #2 centre by default because we had a weak roster like you said.

[Moneyhands23]

Originally Posted by FBI

Whats the deal with posters with Monahan in their usernames hating Bennett?

I believe in Bennett and cant wait to see him finally click!

[DJones]

If we're ever in a situation where Bennett can't make the team and is our 13th best forward.

They can just hand us the cup right then.

[indes]

Bennett is such an enigma. He seems to have the tools a lot of the time and seems to have the toolbox a lot of the time, but rarely seems to have both at the same time.

[Geeoff]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

I don't know if Dube and Hathaway are in competition with each other.

They bring different elements to the game.

If you're Jankowski or Bennett I think there has to be some concern about your spot on the roster in the weeks/months/years to come.

Bennett's just as gritty as Hathaway and twice as skilled...

If Dube proves to be better than Bennett, that pushes Bennett into Hathaway's spot and Hathaway to the pressbox/AHL... Pretty easy to see.

One dimensional grinders are a relic of the past IMO.

[H2SO4(aq)]

If Bennett can be our 2017-18 Tom Wilson would that satisfy the haters?

[edslunch]

Originally Posted by JohnnyTitan

That brings up a good question actually -> what would shut people up?

Just start scoring and do it regularly. 35-40 points is enough and should be well within his capability if the Flames roll 4 lines. He doesn't need to be a star, but if he starts the season with another drought people are going to really lose their shift, not to mention that he might not mentally recover.

[Monahan For Mayor]

Originally Posted by H2SO4(aq)

If Bennett can be our 2017-18 Tom Wilson would that satisfy the haters?

I'm not a hater but I'd be over the moon if Bennett had a season like that.

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by Monahan For Mayor

I'm not a hater

You most certainly are.