Sam Bennett as a center or winger?

[dammage79]

With the way the faceoff rules are changing the game, you need two centers per line now anyways. Move Bennett to the wing. Allow him to focus on scoring more and have the benefit of him being the #2 guy in the faceoff circle. Wouldn't surprise me that there will be a stat line at the end of this season stating the 2nd player in took more faceoffs than the first player in.

[madmike]

At the end of the day either Bennett or Janko needs to move to W. Setting either up to be a 4th line C would be a waste. I’m fine with either moving but they both can’t remain at C unless someone gets moved.

[Harry Lime]

Originally Posted by madmike

At the end of the day either Bennett or Janko needs to move to W. Setting either up to be a 4th line C would be a waste. I’m fine with either moving but they both can’t remain at C unless someone gets moved.

If those are the options, you never move Janko from centre. You can start him at 4th until he pushes Bennett to the wing. I also don't mind Lazar at centre, and he might be the best energy option at that position we have in the system.

Edit : the more I think about it, having Bennett as a top 2 injury replacement, and Stajan as a bottom 2 injury replacement, I don't mind moving both to the wing, making the centre position :

Monahan
Backlund
Jankowski
Lazar

I'm sort of getting convinced by everyones conviction to moving Bennett to a different role.
So much would depend on seeing Jankowski, though. We need to get him up here.

[Frank MetaMusil]

Didn't they move Bennett onto Monahan's line when Gaudreau broke his hand?

The Sharks just recently moved Hertl back to the wing, I still don't understand the Flames reluctance to even try this for a game or two.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Frank MetaMusil

Didn't they move Bennett onto Monahan's line when Gaudreau broke his hand?

The Sharks just recently moved Hertl back to the wing, I still don't understand the Flames reluctance to even try this for a game or two.

I think they put Versteeg there in place of Gaudreau.

I've always thought Bennett would make a good winger, but if he can play C he should be one. I have been hard on him in the past (less patient than a lot of posters) but this year I've thought he was a lot better. Last game I wasn't that fussed by his penalties. F. Hamilton's was worse, Johnny and Versteeg had brain fart ones, Bart's was from being outplayed. Bennett's were a function of being the best defensive forward on his line, and covering in the D zone when there was a team breakdown. They could have happened to Monahan, Backlund or Hamilton as easily IMO.

I don't think Versteeg is as good as he was last year and Jagr is still finding his game. Bennett at C is worth a few more games.

As for Jankowski, sure when he arrives that's a choice to make at C. But a lot of people sure want to throw him in the deep end. And a season out, the centre depth isn't what it is now. So Bennett maybe needs to keep his centre chops at as high a level as possible.

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by Frank MetaMusil

Didn't they move Bennett onto Monahan's line when Gaudreau broke his hand?

The Sharks just recently moved Hertl back to the wing, I still don't understand the Flames reluctance to even try this for a game or two.

if I remember correctly it was a lot of versteeg there with 3m and then bennett/brouwer

Lacking centre depth is I think the reason they are so reticent to move Bennett back to the wing.

Bennett as a winger means you're probably playing stajan 14-16 minutes a night instead of the 10-22 he's getting now. That isn't ideal.

"Ya, but janko!" You say to which I respond what if you graduate janko and it doesn't work like it's not working with Bennett? The other aspect is roster spots and cap space.

It's the quality of centres that is the problem for the flames, not necessarily the amount.

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by TheFlamesVan

^ he is 21 years old! A couple generational talents have really ruined everyone's patience with player development.

What's the age when you feel it's okay to get concerned about a player's development? Is it premature for Montreal fans to express doubts that Galchenyuk will be a top-line centre? How about Jake Virtanen - still too soon?

Not every player is a McDavid or a Matthews. But most forwards drafted in the top 5 start to fulfill their promise by their third season in the NHL. That's why they're drafted that high - they're considered blue chippers, not projects.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

"Ya, but janko!" You say to which I respond what if you graduate janko and it doesn't work like it's not working with Bennett? The other aspect is roster spots and cap space.

If only there was some way to find out.

[Frank MetaMusil]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

I think they put Versteeg there in place of Gaudreau.

I've always thought Bennett would make a good winger, but if he can play C he should be one. I have been hard on him in the past (less patient than a lot of posters) but this year I've thought he was a lot better. Last game I wasn't that fussed by his penalties. F. Hamilton's was worse, Johnny and Versteeg had brain fart ones, Bart's was from being outplayed. Bennett's were a function of being the best defensive forward on his line, and covering in the D zone when there was a team breakdown. They could have happened to Monahan, Backlund or Hamilton as easily IMO.

I don't think Versteeg is as good as he was last year and Jagr is still finding his game. Bennett at C is worth a few more games.

As for Jankowski, sure when he arrives that's a choice to make at C. But a lot of people sure want to throw him in the deep end. And a season out, the centre depth isn't what it is now. So Bennett maybe needs to keep his centre chops at as high a level as possible.

Found an article (it's Francis though, unfortunately) but it's like nothing's changed over the course of a year.

http://calgaryherald.com/sports/hock...ter-the-reason

The beauty of the move is that it’s not a knee-jerk reaction to Gaudreau’s injury Tuesday, but a decision coach Glen Gulutzan made before that, with an eye on trying to help the youngster find the scoring touch he had in junior and will eventually exhibit in the NHL.

With three goals and seven points in 17 games, Bennett hasn’t been happy with his start, which included a benching for his early penchant for taking questionable penalties. His 13 minors are among league leaders and symbolic of his early frustration.

[Fan in Exile]

Originally Posted by Harry Lime

If those are the options, you never move Janko from centre. You can start him at 4th until he pushes Bennett to the wing. I also don't mind Lazar at centre, and he might be the best energy option at that position we have in the system.

Edit : the more I think about it, having Bennett as a top 2 injury replacement, and Stajan as a bottom 2 injury replacement, I don't mind moving both to the wing, making the centre position :

Monahan
Backlund
Jankowski
Lazar

I'm sort of getting convinced by everyones conviction to moving Bennett to a different role.
So much would depend on seeing Jankowski, though. We need to get him up here.

In my opinion, Jankowski has already shown that. People harp on Janko needing to have a good attitude and be patient. He has been. Incredibly. But he's 23. Bennett is 20. Bennett has not been very I think he plays a less complete game as a centre than Janko. Very different players. I still think Bennett may have the higher offensive upside and he's grittier but I think he's more likely to hit his ceiling on the wing than centre. He can also move if the situation demands it. Draisatl did well at centre against the Ducks after playing most of the year at wing. Coaches figure this out all the time. Don't understand the obstinacy with moving Bennett.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

What's the age when you feel it's okay to get concerned about a player's development? Is it premature for Montreal fans to express doubts that Galchenyuk will be a top-line centre? How about Jake Virtanen - still too soon?

Not every player is a McDavid or a Matthews. But most forwards drafted in the top 5 start to fulfill their promise by their third season in the NHL. That's why they're drafted that high - they're considered blue chippers, not projects.

Some very different cases we're talking about here.

Galchenyuk is 2 years older than Sam. So you can definitely start to judge his career as it's been 5 years since he was drafted. Scouts and GMs often talk about judging drafts and players 5-6 years after the draft. He does have a 30 goal season but his team has been reluctant to play him at centre. He may merely be a skilled, soft 1st/2nd line winger.

Virtanen doesn't even have a full NHL season under his belt. He has 14 career points. At this point it looks like he might've been rushed to the NHL and that may have hindered or ruined his development. Too early to say he's a bust but he's certainly trended he wrong way. I'd be very, very concerned about his development and the way the Canucks rushed him.

Bennett looks like a much better player than Virtanen at this stage in their career. Bennett plays the harder position on the better team and is playing a regular role. He wasn't gifted 1st line minutes or PP time like Monahan was early in his career. You see flashes from Bennett that show his potential. I'm not super worried about him long term yet, you gotta have patience. Let's not forget he missed almost an entire year of development due to the shoulder injury and that does affect a young player's development.

Personally I think he may be a better winger longterm but I understand why the Flames are developing him at centre. It's the more valuable position and you can always move him back to get wing if Jankowski forces him there.

There's been too much whining and criticizing of Bennett IMO. His skill level hasn't disappeared. IMO he still has 1st line upside. I think too many people ignore the fact he lost almost an entire season of development to injury post-draft. Different players develop at different rates. Yes high picks often need less development time but let's not forget about his lost development time due to injury. Tkachuk and Monahan's early success leads to fans being hard on Bennett because he hasn't been an instant star. Give the kid a chance. The kind of frustration posts we're seeing on Bennett are premature. Let's see how things stand halfway through this season. Plenty of players have developed into star players at an age older than Bennett

[djsFlames]

So then the question then becomes, Janko or Bennett to the wing?

Because one has to go there.

Tbh I see Jankowski as being the prototypical guy at center with the right attributes for it, and a well rounded game. I don't think it's looked as natural for Bennett. I see the value in breeding him in the role but it also feels like it's coming at the cost of his ability to break through and produce.

[Darkknight]

I think the strangest thing for me with Bennett is how easily he seems to trip over his own feet. For a bigger guy he is constantly on his rear end at the end of a scoring play or scrum along the boards. He's not a small guy, I would say NHL average but he sure isn't strong on his skates. I think if he wants to succeed he should spend an off season working on his core and lower body strength, that may help him play his style of game in the NHL.

[edslunch]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

As for Jankowski, sure when he arrives that's a choice to make at C. But a lot of people sure want to throw him in the deep end. And a season out, the centre depth isn't what it is now. So Bennett maybe needs to keep his centre chops at as high a level as possible.

But why not throw him in the deep end? The Flames did with Monahan, Tkachuk, Bennett, Gaudreau...sure they were all blue chip but Jankowski has proven more at the pro level than they had at the time.

[nightfx]

Originally Posted by Darkknight

I think the strangest thing for me with Bennett is how easily he seems to trip over his own feet. For a bigger guy he is constantly on his rear end at the end of a scoring play or scrum along the boards. He's not a small guy, I would say NHL average but he sure isn't strong on his skates. I think if he wants to succeed he should spend an off season working on his core and lower body strength, that may help him play his style of game in the NHL.

I remember that actually being one of his strengths in junior, so clearly he hasn't figured out how to adjust his game against guys who are stronger than him

[madmike]

I don’t know that giving Jankowski 3rd line minutes would be throwing him in the deep end. I think he’s better prepared for the role than Bennett at this point. He’s three years older than Bennett.

[Beninho]

Originally Posted by Harry Lime

There seems to be a general feeling that where Bennett ends up will all depend on Jankowski. If Jankowski pushes into that 3rd line centre role, I would be fine with moving Bennett to the wing, and Lazar to 4th line centre.

And I'm a pro-Bennett at centre guy.

Does this conversation mean anything until we actually get to see what we have in Jankowski? That puts all of the pressure on Treliving to figure out getting him up here on a permanent basis, and not just as an injury replacement. Team has given every chance to Bennett and it's time they give at least one chance to Jankowski, gotta think Tre wants his guy (Bennett) to work out. Right now Janko is better

Edit : It would actually be nice to have Bennett waiting in the wings, as an instant injury replacement to a centre.

Jankowski will never get to prove it unless this team gives him the oppuruntnity. I am convinced Jankowski is far better right now, not only is he older but he is a high IQ player who has improved every year. It's a no brained right now, Bennett lacks the strength and IQ to play center. You gotta give Janko a shot. Bennett hasn't improved since his rookie year, he is exactly the same player

[Beninho]

Originally Posted by madmike

I don’t know that giving Jankowski 3rd line minutes would be throwing him in the deep end. I think he’s better prepared for the role than Bennett at this point. He’s three years older than Bennett.

Also 6'4, better shot, better IQ, better on the walls, better passing, better reach. It's a no brainer, he out played Bennett in the pre-season by a fair amount. If Bennett keeps being non-productive and Janko doesn't get a call up I'm gonna start to think it's an ego thing. Tre doesn't want Feesters guy to look better than his no.4 pick.

[dammage79]

Question is, who didn't Jankowski outplay in the preseason when thats exactly what he needed to do.

[Rubicant]

Moving Bennett to Monahan's line solves two problems at once - a first line talent to play with Monahan and Gaudreau (still potential talent for Bennett but still) and opens up an appropriate space for Jankowski on the third line, which is where he should be playing right now IMO.

It also keeps the very effective 3M line together, and puts Ferland in a role where he is likely better suited - fourth line energy / banger / occasional offence.

Gaudreau - Monahan - Bennett
Tkachuk - Backlund - Frolik
Versteeg - Jankowski - Jagr
Ferland - Lazar/Stajan - Brouwer/Glass

This makes our 1st and 4th lines stronger and our 3rd line about the same, all while giving Jankowski an appropriate place to continue developing and rewarding his development thus far. In addition, ideally this helps Bennett work on his offensive side of his game so he can develop like the top pick he is.