19-year old Sam Bennett - Expectations for 15/16 season

[DoubleF]

Question: "Demotion" for Bennett wise, would you rather he stay on 3C and get press box duties like last year for the boys, or be "demoted" to being Backlund's LW for a few games?

Combo of both?

I prefer perhaps putting Bennett on LW when he is doing well at 3C and pressbox when he's not doing well at 3C. I would like 2LW be learning from Backlund and him learning centre by playing centre as a 3C.

Also to add, Bennett is playing the entire season in the NHL. IMO, he will play 1 of 3 positions. 3C, 2LW or 2C. However, at worst, he would be 4C or 3LW. He will not be going to the minors.

[Finger Cookin]

Bennett should play as the third line center until he's ready to take on more ice time and responsibility at center. I'm not sure what the timeline is for more ice and responsibility - later this season, next season, or the season after that. It should be fun to watch it unfold.

[Vulcan]

I like him starting at third line centre, it's where I've put him on any of my imaginary lineups. It's the proper way to learn the game. He'll probably get 2nd line PP on Backlund's wing and maybe moved to his wing the odd times late in a game when we need some scoring or such.

[Bingo]

you don't usually get info like that out of golf course interviews in August! My eyes widened when he went into Bennett deployment.

Pretty much blows the consensus Flame's lineup out of the water (our thoughts, TSN year book, etc all had Bennett on LW with Backlund and Frolik)

Assuming the top line is in tact it could mean big things for either Bouma or the yet to be signed Ferland. Do they average out three lines or do they roll two scoring lines and give Bennett responsible wingers?

Gaudreau - Monahan - Hudler
Ferland - Backlund - Frolik
Bouma - Bennett - Colborne/Jones
Jooris/Bollig - Stajan - Colborne/Jones

still issues with bodies of course in Byron, Shore and Raymond

it was so easy to build a clear top six with Bennett on the left side.

[Clever_Iggy]

Not surprising for me. The blue print that Hartley used for Monahan was perfect - protected minutes, low expectations, development being key.

Bennett will eventually displace Backlund on the 2nd line and maybe Monahan in the next 2-3 years.

[icarus]

Maybe I am being conservative (clearly, from the poll results) but I said 31-35. This is simply based on an extrapolation of his scoring rate so far, with an upward trend in points as he gains experience negated by some time missed due to injury (perhaps pessimistic but I think he'll take some bumps as a rookie with his playing style).

[Poe969]

I thought it was a foregone conclusion that Bennett would play centre. He's a centre. I guess you could put him on the wing but that would be a waste of his talent and curb his development IMO. Centre is the hardest position to play and if someone is good at it, why stop them or prevent them from becoming better. I do hope he plays the win during the PP at times but I hope he becomes our 2C by the end of the year. I would honestly consider having him as our 2C to start the year but if the team is going with 3 scoring lines it doesn't really matter. I just think he's more of an offensive talent than Backlund.

[Vinny01]

Very happy to hear Bennett will be developed as a center. I see him skating with possibly Colborne and Frolik to start but we need to do something about the glut of forwards. Hoping BT can pull a quantity for quality deal.

Gaudreau-Monahan-Hudler
Frolik-Bennett-Colborne
Bouma-Backlund-Jones
Ferland-Stajan-Jooris
Byron-Shore-Raymond

[heep223]

I personally love the idea of Bouma/Ferland is our middle six LWs. Adds toughness through the lineup without sacrificing speed. Hopefully Ferland can continue to develop into that role, I could see him on Bennett's LW. Also I see our middle six as just that, our middle six - not really a distinct 2nd/3rd line.

Gaudreau-Monahan-Hudler
Bouma-Backlund-Jones
Ferland-Bennett-Frolik
Colborne-Stajan-Jooris

Byron-Shore-Raymond

I'm really high on Colborne coming into this year but I really don't know where to put him.

[Bandwagon In Flames]

Originally Posted by heep223

I personally love the idea of Bouma/Ferland is our middle six LWs. Adds toughness through the lineup without sacrificing speed. Hopefully Ferland can continue to develop into that role, I could see him on Bennett's LW. Also I see our middle six as just that, our middle six - not really a distinct 2nd/3rd line.

Gaudreau-Monahan-Hudler
Bouma-Backlund-Jones
Ferland-Bennett-Frolik
Colborne-Stajan-Jooris

Byron-Shore-Raymond

I'm really high on Colborne coming into this year but I really don't know where to put him.

Fully agree. Bouma and Ferland both have offensive ability to go along with their crash and bang style of game. Either of them will be great linemates with Bennett on the third line.

I think Frolik on the third line is best. Brings some steadiness and versatility to Bennett's line. Bennett alongside Ferland or Bouma will be playing some tenacious and intense hockey. Frolik would be great to balance the line out.

[bax]

Originally Posted by Bandwagon In Flames

Fully agree. Bouma and Ferland both have offensive ability to go along with their crash and bang style of game. Either of them will be great linemates with Bennett on the third line.



I think Frolik on the third line is best. Brings some steadiness and versatility to Bennett's line. Bennett alongside Ferland or Bouma will be playing some tenacious and intense hockey. Frolik would be great to balance the line out.

Only thing with that is that Bob also said he wants to put Frolik in an offensive role and to see him improve on his numbers from last year.

The lines will get juggled throughout the season, but I don't see him starting anywhere lower than the second line (ice time wise)

[T@T]

If Bennett is as driven as he has shown he'll be the regular second line center by Christmas.

[D as in David]

Up until the time the Monahan/Gaudreau/Hudler line was put together, my recollection of last season was that you really couldn't specifically state which were the first and second (and even possibly, third) lines. My guess is that we could have the same difficulty as this season progresses in identifying a second vs. third line.

If we end up having trouble distinguishing between a first and second line - look out!

[868904]

Originally Posted by bax

Only thing with that is that Bob also said he wants to put Frolik in an offensive role and to see him improve on his numbers from last year.

The lines will get juggled throughout the season, but I don't see him starting anywhere lower than the second line (ice time wise)

I think the ideal line combos are:

Gaudreau/Monahan/Frolik

Tests out whether Gaudreau and Monahan can produce without Hudler who will be UFA. Also gives a chance to see if Frolik has more offensive upside. Management would stand to benefit from Frolik lighting it up, not that this should be considered by Hartley.

Ferland/Bennett/Hudler

Hudler did wonders with Gaudreau and Monahan and I want to see him do it again with two young kids. Plus, maybe it hurts Hudler's production and lowers his price a bit (under handed but hey, every dollar will matter). Ferland on that line to protect Bennett who plays a chippy game and will get into trouble and also Hudler who is a star skill guy. Would also love to see Ferland in a more offensive scoring role as I want to see what his true upside is. Only problem with this set up is will Hudler cooperate. He is UFA and he wants to be given the best opportunity to put up points and that opportunity will be with Johnny and Mony.

[Bandwagon In Flames]

Originally Posted by bax

Only thing with that is that Bob also said he wants to put Frolik in an offensive role and to see him improve on his numbers from last year.

The lines will get juggled throughout the season, but I don't see him starting anywhere lower than the second line (ice time wise)

I can't see the first line getting split up with the success they had last season. Backlunds line will probably be more defensively focused like last season. I see more offense out of the third line than the second line.

[bax]

Originally Posted by Bandwagon In Flames

I can't see the first line getting split up with the success they had last season. Backlunds line will probably be more defensively focused like last season. I see more offense out of the third line than the second line.

Yeah, I was also thinking that. The second line and the third line should be seeing some pretty equal ice time

[prizefighterinferno]

Originally Posted by 868904

I think the ideal line combos are:

Gaudreau/Monahan/Frolik

Ferland/Bennett/Hudler

I wouldn't hate it if they gave those a trial run. Reuniting Bouma-Backlund-Jones as your tough minutes line makes sense. Makes it tough to put together a fourth line that makes much sense though. Colborne-Stajan-Jooris? Byron-Stajan-Colborne?

It also wouldn't surprise me to see Colborne in a top six role (swap out Ferland from above) to start the season, given his increased aggression/assertiveness in the playoffs as well as assumed improvement now that he's had his wrist repaired. Until the playoffs however, Colborne was a possession black hole. It would be huge if Colborne can carry over his playoff performance to the point where he's at least an average possession/shot suppression player and can put up ~40 points, and therefore really justify a top six spot. The rest of the lineup shakes out more logically if that's the case, as right now it appears that they are missing at least one more legitimate top-six guy on the wing.

[D as in David]

Originally Posted by 868904

I think the ideal line combos are:

Gaudreau/Monahan/Frolik

Tests out whether Gaudreau and Monahan can produce without Hudler who will be UFA. Also gives a chance to see if Frolik has more offensive upside. Management would stand to benefit from Frolik lighting it up, not that this should be considered by Hartley.

Ferland/Bennett/Hudler

Hudler did wonders with Gaudreau and Monahan and I want to see him do it again with two young kids. Plus, maybe it hurts Hudler's production and lowers his price a bit (under handed but hey, every dollar will matter). Ferland on that line to protect Bennett who plays a chippy game and will get into trouble and also Hudler who is a star skill guy. Would also love to see Ferland in a more offensive scoring role as I want to see what his true upside is. Only problem with this set up is will Hudler cooperate. He is UFA and he wants to be given the best opportunity to put up points and that opportunity will be with Johnny and Mony.

I don't mind this at all. Not a bad idea to separate the two small wingers but it will ultimately come down to whether or not there is chemistry amongst them.

[locsofblu]

Just start the season already.

[albertGQ]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

My number one hope is that he stays healthy. This will be a long season for him and I see him being a key contributor centering line 2 by the end of the year. I am thrilled at the prospect of him playing center all year long.

Probably not good news for Drew Shore but maybe if he shows he is more ready than Bennett, then Bennett starts on the wing. I don't think it's very likely Bennett gets sent down.

If he gets sent down, its to Kingston and for the entire year.

I can't see him getting sent down at all unless he really struggles. And if he does, they may just lend him to Team Canada for the WJC and if he stars in the tourney, he could get a 2nd crack at the NHL before being sent down for good.