Joined: May 2019
Posts: 408
Likes: 176
I'm surprised Peters has refused to try him at C (even during preseason).
IMO, it's Bennett's stalled development that has prevented the team from becoming better. He has characteristics that should make him successful on the top line. He plays a bit like Ferland did as a heavy forechecker and can be a second faceoff guy with a defensive presence like Lindholm currently is (albeit he's missing the strong shot that these guys both have). If he could step his game up, it would allow them to bump Lindholm down to line two even as the RW and it would help balance the top 6 a lot:
Gaudreau - Monahan - Bennett (similar offensively inclined usage as currently)
Tkachuk - Backlund - Lindholm (tough matchups)
Lucic - Ryan - Frolik (checking/low event line)
Mangiapane - Jankowski - Czarnik (speedy but small wingers with a larger center)