The future of Sam Bennett - Page 6 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

FlameZilla · 03-29-2017, 03:59 AM

Can't wait to see Bennett unleashed in the Playoffs. I think he's going to step up big time.

Currently we have Ferland, Monahan, Gaudreau, Backlund, Tkachuk and Frolik playing lights-out hockey. No guarantee they all carry this into the playoffs, which often seems like a different contest all together. With opposing teams' best shut-down players targeting our top 2 lines it's going to come down to Versteeg/Bennett/Brouwer to provide a spark of offence. Brouwer has already picked it up a bit in recent games, exhibiting that great wrist-shot that we're overpaying for. Bennett really plays with jam when the chips are down.

EldrickOnIce · 03-29-2017, 04:53 AM

I think we should stop talking about top 6. It has really become top 9 now.
Monahan line draws top checking opposition.
Backlund line draws other teams top line.
Bennett's line should get good looks against lesser competition. If his line can contribute a bit more, the Flames have a great chance to do some post season damage.

CliffFletcher · 03-29-2017, 07:09 AM

I don't buy the lack of opportunity of good linemates excuse. In the NHL, you're given more responsibility and ice time once you prove that you're reliable defensively. You don't turn the puck over, you always pick up your man, you make the smart, low-risk plays. Once you've proven that, you get more ice time and better linemates.

Bennett is still a work in progress, but he's being treated fairly.

Erick Estrada · 03-29-2017, 07:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

I don't buy the lack of opportunity of good linemates excuse. In the NHL, you're given more responsibility and ice time once you prove that you're reliable defensively. You don't turn the puck over, you always pick up your man, you make the smart, low-risk plays. Once you've proven that, you get more ice time and better linemates.

Bennett is still a work in progress, but he's being treated fairly.

The line mate excuse is valid because he's spent a lot of the season playing with bottom 6 talent and he's not McDavid good where he can turn 3rd liners into 20 goal scorers. I feel though that's more due to circumstances than anything to do with responsibility as the Backlund line has been the one consistent line all season and Monahan and Gaudreau are a staple together so really there's not much option for the coaches but to put him with bottom six guys. I actually feel that Chiasson has been a better fit with Bennett because he's more of an energy player than Brouwer and Versteeg and Bennett needs to play with better skaters. It's not like Bennett looked out of place on the Backlund line when Tkachuk was out so it's just a matter of time as Bennett is only 20 and eventually guys like Frolik will move on and he will get his chance.

EVERLAST · 03-29-2017, 01:10 PM

The thought of Tkachuk and Bennett on a line makes me salivate......

Both these players really make the future bright.

Hot_Flatus · 03-29-2017, 01:16 PM

Fans are correct to be concerned about Bennett at this point. We've been spoiled with the likes of Gaudeau dominating early on and Monohan proving to be a capable NHL center right out of the gates.

If anything Bennett is a perfect example of why the Flames drafting was so bad for so long. The difference is that the team now has the ability to baby him along where in the past he'd be left to sink or swim on the top line.

I feel like ultimately he will find a home on the wing as a pro but you can always hope he is able to evolve beyond what we presently see.

Since1984 · 03-29-2017, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hot_Flatus

Fans are correct to be concerned about Bennett at this point. We've been spoiled with the likes of Gaudeau dominating early on and Monohan proving to be a capable NHL center right out of the gates.

If anything Bennett is a perfect example of why the Flames drafting was so bad for so long. The difference is that the team now has the ability to baby him along where in the past he'd be left to sink or swim on the top line.

I feel like ultimately he will find a home on the wing as a pro but you can always hope he is able to evolve beyond what we presently see.

I completely disagree, I feel he has played great as a 3/4 Center and is currently learning the defensive side of the puck while also increasing his physicality over the past couple months. He may not be scoring but he is doing a lot of the little things you love to see by a center.

Let's all just remember he is 20 and still filling out. Many pundits had him NHL ready after another year or two in the CHL. He however stepped into the lineup a little undersized in the NHL to play his game. I feel we shouldn't get concerned until he is at least 23.

DJones · 03-29-2017, 01:43 PM

The fact that he can bring positive elements to the team while not scoring helps relieve a lot of my concern.

When he was on Backlunds wing, our bottom six looked horrendous.

Par · 03-30-2017, 11:22 AM

I really really really hope this is true, Sam Bennett is not looking good.

https://realsport101.com/news/sports...calgary-flames

Huntingwhale · 03-30-2017, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Par

I really really really hope this is true, Sam Bennett is not looking good.

https://realsport101.com/news/sports...calgary-flames

Best photo ever

flamesforcup · 03-30-2017, 12:07 PM

If we dont see anything from him in the Playoffs i will start getting worried. He has the tools but cant put it together. I hate to say it but he looks like a low iq player to me.

Mass_nerder · 03-30-2017, 12:11 PM

That article is talking about Bennett like he's been on the 4th line all year, which leads me to believe the author hasn't really watched a lot of Bennett.

N-E-B · 03-30-2017, 12:17 PM

I don't think Bennett has been bad, and I'm not ready to give up on him by any means, but I'd be lying if I said he wasn't by far the biggest disappointment of the season. I hoped for a lot more. He didn't take the next step this year. Hopefully next year he can.

Mass_nerder · 03-30-2017, 12:20 PM

With Monahan and (hopefully) Backlund manning the top 6 for the next few years, I think we can afford to give him the time he needs to come into his own, thankfully.
He's still young, and while he hasn't looked very dynamic offensively this season, I've found he's been quietly impressive defensively.

VilleN · 03-30-2017, 12:31 PM

I actually don't have a problem if Bennett maxes out as a great 2 way, 40ish pt 3rd line center. We have Monahan as our clear cut number 1, Backlund is looking like a great number 2 going forward with Bennett as 3rd center and possibly Janko as 4th... that is incredible depth down the middle if it pans out.

Yoho · 03-30-2017, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VilleN

I actually don't have a problem if Bennett maxes out as a great 2 way, 40ish pt 3rd line center. We have Monahan as our clear cut number 1, Backlund is looking like a great number 2 going forward with Bennett as 3rd center and possibly Janko as 4th... that is incredible depth down the middle if it pans out.

It would be very disappointing if this 4th overall pick maxes out to a 3rd or 4th center but I agree with the depth.

ComixZone · 03-30-2017, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yoho

It would be very disappointing if this 4th overall pick maxes out to a 3rd or 4th center but I agree with the depth.

Well, if Bennett is the 3rd line centre behind two amazing centres in Backlund and Monahan, how is that disappointing? Bennett can hardly be tagged a disappointment if he slots behind a 6th overall pick (from a better draft year) and a long-cooked homegrown draft pick that has developed into a top 5 defensive centre in the league.

If Bennett and Jankowski are our 3rd and 4th centres on a perennial playoff team/division champion/stanley cup champion team, then I disagree with this notion that he's a disappointment if he plays on the "3rd" line.

Monahan, Gaudreau, Backlund and Tkachuk have solidified our top 6 as far as centres and left-wings are concerned. Their success hardly makes Bennett any less important. If he can continue to develop, he's going to give us the best depth in the league. Then if we look at the potential in Jankowski as well - this is how championship teams are built - with depth.

polak · 03-30-2017, 01:17 PM

If Bennett can't be a consistent .5 PPG player I'd say thats a big disappointment

ComixZone · 03-30-2017, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by polak

If Bennett can't be a consistent .5 PPG player I'd say thats a big disappointment

Show me a team where the 3rd line centre scores at .5PPG pace...

I think Bennett will score at that clip (if not better) - but it may take some years of development. My belief in Bennett is one of the reasons why I think we have a Stanley Cup Champion team in the making.

polak · 03-30-2017, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ComixZone

Show me a team where the 3rd line centre scores at .5PPG pace...

I think Bennett will score at that clip (if not better) - but it may take some years of development. My belief in Bennett is one of the reasons why I think we have a Stanley Cup Champion team in the making.

Doesn't matter if the Flames play him there, he's a 4th overall pick. You don't draft 3rd line centers with the 4th Overall pick.