Somewhat controversial of me to list Bennett so high when some people feel so vehemently that he is not a center, but I argue he still is. Put him with two solid wingers and I bet he does well. The problem with Bennett at center has been an inability to find a decent player for him to work with. He was actually decent with Brouwer when Brouwer first started, but Brouwer got injured and everything went sideways with Brouwer (and if you look, Brouwer pretty much takes everyone down that he plays with).
I wonder how Bennett would have looked with Byron? That's the type of player that Sam needs - a player that can play at his pace. I think Bennett might surprise some of you here.
Jankowski over Lindholm - Jankowski has played center all year, and he did NOT have the same opportunity as Lindholm enjoyed in Carolina. 17 goals ties Elias career high as well, but Jankowski did it as a full-time center. That is why I have him ranked higher.
There are many story lines to follow this season, and I am curious to see if Peters was serious about "We will see if Sam Bennett is a center or not". Gulutzan was everything wrong with this team, and it will be curious to see how some players who haven't excelled in the last couple of seasons suddenly find their games under Peters.
Huh? Bennett played on Connor McDavid's wing about as long as Leon Draisaitl did. One year.
"Bennett and McDavid were minor hockey teammates for seven years — five with the York-Simcoe Express and then two with the Toronto Marlboros. They also won gold for Canada at the world under-18 men’s hockey championship in 2013."
Huh? Bennett played on Connor McDavid's wing about as long as Leon Draisaitl did. One year.
"As kids, they didn’t want to be a dynamic, one-two punch in the middle.
“Nah, we enjoyed playing together. Connor was probably more the playmaker,” Bennett said. “He was always the fastest skater on the ice, every year. He’s always had an extra gear.”
He said they played together eight years: six with Simcoe-York, two with the Toronto Marlboros, with one year off before they were drafted at age 15 to the OHL — McDavid by Erie, Bennett by Kingston."
I would throw Lindholm between Tkachuk and Bennett and see where it goes. If that line shows any sort of promise or capacity to play similar to the 3M line I'd straight up trade Backlund for that 1st line RW we have been after since Jarome left.
Monahan
Lindholm
Jankowski
Shore
Would be just fine down the middle if we can somehow parlay Backlund into a 30 goal RW player, and is something I've been chewing on since Lindholm arrived.
Mangiapane was close last year - he had some useful shifts and useful games. It is entirely reasonable to suggest he will continue to grow this year (being all of 22). So no need for the insults.
Sorry... I was snarky.. but I don't think I was wrong
.. but Mangiapane had possibly the worst 10 games call up for the Flames of any prospect. Hard to find one that was close to being as bad for anyone that ever played in the NHL again.
10 games no points, 7 SOG .... -3 in sheltered matchups.
Hathaway looks like an offensive juggernaut in comparison... never mind his heavier game.
How do get more certain about Mangiapane being ready than Foo? Foo had 4 NHL games all better than Magiapane's best.
Actually, at the ages we're talking about, you could have had them playing any position at a time. It's naive to think Bennett never played center until he hit the OHL. And even if that is the case, it doesn't matter. Mark Messier never played center until his like, fourth year in the NHL. Bennett was drafted based on his play at center in the OHL. Digging up facts about what position a guy played alongside a generational talent is weak.
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"May those who accept their fate find happiness. May those who defy it find glory."
Hate to agree with RDW but he's right. Mangiapane didn't look very good at all in his NHL games. I would put Foo and Dube chances of making the NHL at the start of the season higher than Mangiapane.
Actually, at the ages we're talking about, you could have had them playing any position at a time. It's naive to think Bennett never played center until he hit the OHL. And even if that is the case, it doesn't matter. Mark Messier never played center until his like, fourth year in the NHL. Bennett was drafted based on his play at center in the OHL.
I'm sure he took some reps at center, but even the worst minor league coaches are going to put the faster player in the middle most of the time.
Sorry... I was snarky.. but I don't think I was wrong
.. but Mangiapane had possibly the worst 10 games call up for the Flames of any prospect. Hard to find one that was close to being as bad for anyone that ever played in the NHL again.
10 games no points, 7 SOG .... -3 in sheltered matchups.
Hathaway looks like an offensive juggernaut in comparison... never mind his heavier game.
How do get more certain about Mangiapane being ready than Foo? Foo had 4 NHL games all better than Magiapane's best.
Pretty big age gaps between Hathaway and Mangiapane. Hathaway came in with 40 NHL games played and 4 seasons in the AHL, it shouldn't be a surprise he had a better showing than a Mangiapane.
It's also pretty unanimously considered that College players are competing in a bigger, heavier game than CHL players.
I'd say it's equally ridiculous to write off a player with 10 games under his belt as it is to expect him to be an NHL full timer
I also can't believe that people are giving mangiapane a spot given that he did nothing with his 9 minutes a night playing with Matt 'goal machine' stajan and Curtis 'dead eye' Lazar.
I dont see how anyone can still believe Bennett is a centre at the nhl level. And jankowski was pretty bad outside of the time with jagr and a few multi point games. I hope neither play centre this coming season.
