[News] Bennett healthy scratched vs Predators

[SuperMatt18]

I honestly think that Gaudreau gets too much of a free pass for his play this year. People are blaming Chiasson, Bennett, Monahan, Brouwer etc for his issues but he hasn't been that good.

Outside of the stretch when he came back from injury this year he hasn't been that good - and I'm not sure you can blame linemates for all of his issues.

He had 11 points and was -10 in the 17 games he played before his injury - and a lot of the time his line was getting beat up by other teams. He played great upon his return when he put up 14 points in 10 games and was a -1.

However since his 3 point game against Colorado he has put up only 3 points in his last 10 games.

Monahan has looked like a completely different player when he gets off of Gaudreau's line this year, and when playing with Bennett and Chiasson he hasn't made them look much better.

He just doesn't seem to have that extra step this year that he had last year and due to it isn't able to use his edgework to create the separation that he is usually able to create.

[Rick M.]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

Jesus, Bennett has shown way more than Yak. Poor comparison.

I wouldn't respond to the guy. He's made all of 27 posts.

[Rick M.]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

I honestly think that Gaudreau gets too much of a free pass for his play this year. People are blaming Chiasson, Bennett, Monahan, Brouwer etc for his issues but he hasn't been that good.

Outside of the stretch when he came back from injury this year he hasn't been that good - and I'm not sure you can blame linemates for all of his issues.

He had 11 points and was -10 in the 17 games he played before his injury - and a lot of the time his line was getting beat up by other teams. He played great upon his return when he put up 14 points in 10 games and was a -1.

However since his 3 point game against Colorado he has put up only 3 points in his last 10 games.

Monahan has looked like a completely different player when he gets off of Gaudreau's line this year, and when playing with Bennett and Chiasson he hasn't made them look much better.

He just doesn't seem to have that extra step this year that he had last year and due to it isn't able to use his edgework to create the separation that he is usually able to create.

Do you think he's spooked by the injury? He doesn't look very happy.

[zuluking]

Dang it, Glen! Now I have the wrong jersey with me for tonight!

[foshizzle11]

Originally Posted by AC

You went 0/3 on names spelled correctly.

Shame.

That was the best part, loses all credibility.

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by Rick M.

Do you think he's spooked by the injury? He doesn't look very happy.

His motor is completely gone.

You aren't going to get anywhere in the NHL by being highly skilled but small and lazy.

[dino7c]

Gaudreau has been pretty unlucky of late

Chiasson Chokes on the EN
Post in OT vs Edmonton
Ref steals a goal from him VS. SJ...it also hit the post

He can be better for sure...We should be looking for a RW to play with him though if this team wants to be a contender at some point

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by dino7c

Gaudrea has been pretty unlucky of late

Chiasson Chokes on the EN
Post in OT in Edmonton
Ref steals a goal from him VS. SJ...it also hit the post

He can be better for sure...We should be looking for a RW to play with him though if this team wants to be a contender at some point

If he's not gonna play with Monahan or Bennett he needs a centre as well.

[GoJetsGo]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

His motor is completely gone.

You aren't going to get anywhere in the NHL by being highly skilled but small and lazy.

What a load of crap.

It's honestly as if you don't watch the games when you come out with over-dramatized stuff like this.


There's no doubt he needs to be better but playing with 4th liners (as he will be tonight) isn't going to help.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

His motor is completely gone.

You aren't going to get anywhere in the NHL by being highly skilled but small and lazy.

Alex Tanguay would disagree.

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan

Alex Tanguay would disagree.

Boy, that's an ugly look into the darkest timeline.

[mdubz]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

His motor is completely gone.

You aren't going to get anywhere in the NHL by being highly skilled but small and lazy.

He's busting his ass every shift. It just seems like he has lost track of what to do and where to be most of the time. Watching the game from the press box is probably the best thing you could do for his game right now.

[GoJetsGo]

Originally Posted by mdubz

He's busting his ass every shift. It just seems like he has lost track of what to do and where to be most of the time. Watching the game from the press box is probably the best thing you could do for his game right now.

I agree the effort is there (which is why the 'lost motor' comment was so ridiculous) and he's clearly fighting it... but playing with Bennett and Chiasson has clearly been bigger obstacle than him losing track of what to do. He's making all kinds of plays, they're just dying on the stick of a very un-confident youngster in Bennett and a 4th liner in Chiasson.

He's also clearly fighting it as he keeps missing the net, hitting the post etc.

It will come, but it's going to be tough to get any swagger back playing with players like he is tonight.

[Darkknight]

Originally Posted by Rick M.

I wouldn't respond to the guy. He's made all of 27 posts.

I fail to see the correlation between my post count and an observation I've made about a player on the team. Point totals are similar, Bennett has been given more than adequate line mates to produce with and continues to show a generally low hockey IQ. The only major difference is position, but I feel like the majority of Bennett's production has come from the wing as well.

If you disagree with my point that's fair, but number of hours spent chatting on an online forum isn't a solid reason for that disagreement.

[Firebot]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

He just doesn't seem to have that extra step this year that he had last year and due to it isn't able to use his edgework to create the separation that he is usually able to create.

Gaudreau has become predictable, and it seems to come from a coaching decision more than anything. When was the last time Gaudreau has tried to deke two defenseman or have a guy right behind him or on the right wing available for an easy pass? When was the last time he went from left wing to right wing on a rush?

All the plays of late seem to be exactly the same. Come in on the left side, try to go on the outside of the defenceman, if he cant go around him (which he isn't able to right now since teams defend specifically against him) he circles around to the outside and makes a pass back to the point near the blue line, which is easily defended against because the whole opposing team is back by then.


It's a set play, and a poor one. Hartley's system was basically give the puck to Gaudreau, let him to his magic, and pounce on any rebounds or defensive gaffs. It worked great because it wasn't a system of sorts.

I link it to how the Sedins were under Torterella. The Sedins are at their best when cycling the puck, but Torteralla was not running that at all. End result was the Sedins worst season ever.

Gulutzan needs to use Gaudreau better. The power play system works well, but 5 on 5 and transition rush does not right now. Gaudreau - Stajan - Chiasson certainly isn't going to cut it, when the opposing team can concentrate on neutralizing Gaudreau only.

[Kjesse]

I'm getting tired of seeing the outside spin from Gaudeau when entering the offensive zone. And he's not the only one but the most noticeable. Time to change it up.

[Strange Brew]

Bennett clearly earned this benching. Now I really hope he learns something from it because he is so important to any hope this team has of being a contender.

[devo22]

Originally Posted by northcrunk

He is as advertised but nowhere was he advertised as a #1 RW. He is a 4th liner at best.

you just know the blind hate for a player is real when he plays 14 minutes a night and is called a #1 RW just so that it fits the narrative. Tiresome.

[CsInMyBlood]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

The Florida game might have been his best of the season too.

I totally agree with this.

I've been pretty vocal towards Monahan and the way he has been the invisible man for way too many games, including when he was on his 10 game point streak.

The way he played vs the Panthers was such a relief. So engaged every shift, battling along the boards, good positioning without the puck.

He really did deserve that empty netter for his awesome play that game, really hope he plays like this going forward. The Flames need it.

Since this thread has somehow turned into a Chiasson/Monahan/Gaudreau/Tanguay/Yakupov/Gulutzan thread and I'm guilty of it too, I'll talk a little Bennett.

I like this benching decision. I agree it's probably the best thing for him right now. Bet he comes out fired up vs the Oilers this weekend.

[Badgers Nose]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Calgary Flames @NHLFlames
"You can't have growth without adversity ... with his competitive nature, he'll grow from this." - Glen Gulutzan on Sam Bennett

Pat Steinberg @Fan960Steinberg
Ferland back in tonight. Stajan moves up to centre third line, F. Hamilton centers the fourth line. #Flames

GG and BT (and assistants) are awesome. Apart from a brief period during Daryl Sutter's time I've not been this confident in management since the Fletcher/Johnson era.

Sam needs this, and he will be better because of GG's coaching.

I hated both the GG and BT hires, so I am very happy to be wrong.