Sam Bennett as a center or winger?

[calgaryblood]

I think he is better suited for the wing. He's still very young and I think should learn a bit more on how to be a center before being thrown to the wolves. He hasn't looked good at all in the first three games defensively and him and Tkachuk seem to be running into each other a lot and Brouwer is having to go out of position to cover for him.

He isn't playing like a center anyways, he is always deep in the zone and being caught behind the net a lot with Tkachuk.


This is no way an indictment on him but I think he would be better suited with Backlund and could think more about offence while still learning a few things defensively from Backlund.

Thoughts on whether he should be a center or winger?

[jg13]

Keep him at C.

Our depth at centre is atrocious without him.

[N-E-B]

Centre. I think it's the most important position and I'd like to develop him as one. I think he has the potential to be better than Monahan. I would agree that right now he's probably better suited as a winger but long term I want him down the middle.

[undercoverbrother]

I think we suck up the short term pain for the long term gain of a solid centre.

[kyuss275]

I've thought about this also. If Verseeg can't get any chemistry going with top line i would do the following:

Johnny-Mony-Brouwer
Bennet-Backs-Frolic

The problem becomes who could center the 3rd line? I like the Stajan 4th line as is. Don't think Hamilton can do it.

[GranteedEV]

Center. No brainer.

[calgaryblood]

Or maybe Put Bennett with Frolik and keep him as a center? I just think he needs to be split up with Tkachuk. Too young of a line that has been pretty clueless in the defensive zone to start the year.

You'd then have Backlund playing with Tkachuk so two young guys being sheltered a little with two way defensive forwards.

[calgaryblood]

Originally Posted by kyuss275

I've thought about this also. If Verseeg can't get any chemistry going with top line i would do the following:

Johnny-Mony-Brouwer
Bennet-Backs-Frolic

The problem becomes who could center the 3rd line? I like the Stajan 4th line as is. Don't think Hamilton can do it.

Well they did sign him to a one way contract so I think they believe he can.

Stajan has had a pretty good start to the season and looks to be one of the only centers ready to play.

[Wolfman]

It's 3 games in, is that a fair enough sample size to be debating whether he is a C or a LW. Not sure why everyone is worked up about everything right now. Let's give it a month and half before we start worrying about GG system, D core, Goalies and some forwards.

Let's pump the brakes and let them get some decent practices in after playing 3 games in 4 nights. Calm down guys, it will come around.

[Cactus Jack]

I thought Bennett has been pretty good, particularly in the second game, at generating chances and dishing the puck

[FlamesAddiction]

It looks like he likes to attack from the wing a lot so I wouldn't be opposed to playing him on the wing. Nothing wrong with developing forward versatility. Even back in junior he played on the wing a fair bit.

[Insane_Flame]

Hey all.

[calgaryblood]

Originally Posted by Wolfman

It's 3 games in, is that a fair enough sample size to be debating whether he is a C or a LW. Not sure why everyone is worked up about everything right now. Let's give it a month and half before we start worrying about GG system, D core, Goalies and some forwards.

Let's pump the brakes and let them get some decent practices in after playing 3 games in 4 nights. Calm down guys, it will come around.

Pretty sure I am calm. Did you read the OP? it's simply a point of discussion on a discussion board. We don't need to wait a month to discuss things like this.

Bennett doesn't have much experience playing center at the NHL level and to add to that he has the responsibility of an 18 year old rookie on his wing as well. That is setting himself up for failure.

[Hockeyguy15]

Originally Posted by Insane_Flame

Hey all.

Hi?

[calgaryblood]

Originally Posted by insane_flame

hey all.

asl?

[CsInMyBlood]

Originally Posted by Insane_Flame

Hey all.

This guy seems insane.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

He should probably stay at centre.

However if Jankowski forces his way onto the Flames there's a small chance he could push Bennett to the wing because I think Bennett would make a much better winger than Jankowski would.

[calgaryblood]

I can't remember the last time a 20 year old center with little experience playing Center at the NHL level played with a rookie 18 year old winger.

Does that honestly seem like a spot he is going to succeed in?

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by calgaryblood

I can't remember the last time a 20 year old center with little experience playing Center at the NHL level played with a rookie 18 year old winger.

Does that honestly seem like a spot he is going to succeed in?

I think the discussion here isn't about the 20 yr old, but should be about the 18 yr old.

[SportsJunky]

I've always seen Bennett fitting the W position better than C. His style of play and attitude on the ice seems a better fit on the wing. I know many (most) here don't agree so I usually avoid the conversation altogether.