LGR4GM

Hey look! Another game where we aren't moving out feet enough. Hope that changes quick.

Hmm. Quinn is smart for sure. He initiates contact to prepare space and had high end manipulation skills. His rush patterns are varied and his passing is underrated. Benson straight up reads plays, it's uncanny. Last night he acted like a corner and jumped a route. It's similar to Quinn but I think there's an added layer to Benson. If Quinn is planning 2 moves ahead, Benson is planning 3 so to speak. Quinn is subtle, he'll do things to get his space and move pucks where he wants. Benson can be subtle, he has that but I think there's a more direct style to him. It's hard because I haven't seen Quinn in 8 months now but the summary is both are intelligent players with big tool boxes. I think Benson is more direct but also a step or two ahead of others, it's fascinating to watch. Quinn can be and often is a step ahead of others. Both are very good defensively. Quinn is smart, Benson might be smarter. Sorry that's so indecisive but Benson at 18 is as smart as Quinn at 21 and idk what to make of that. I think Quinn can be a 35g 45a type as a ceiling. Benson, 20g and 65a maybe 70a. I don't have a feel for his ceiling. Benson with Quinn makes me extremely curious. They are both so smart and have so many tools.

To some extent yes. He'll ignore bad in bigger players while focusing almost solely on skating in smaller ones. He also focuses way too much on breakaway speed when that short area quickness is typically more important until you get slow like Okposo and can't keep up with plays. Also labeling Benson as having "above average IQ" is criminally underrating how smart he is. Pronman saw a good but small player with no elite speed and ignored all the things that make Benson special imo.

Here's what Pronman wrote in March when he projected Benson to a middle 6 role. "Analysis: Benson has a ton of creativity and offense in his game. He makes high-end skill plays routinely, he’s one of the better passers in junior and projects to be a major asset on an NHL power play. Benson lacks ideal size at 5-foot-9, but he’s relentless in puck battles often coming out with the puck despite his frame. He’s a responsible, detailed defensive player who is an asset without the puck. His frame, combined with a lack of separation speed, is a concern, though, for his NHL projection even though he’s got good quickness in tight. There is a fair amount of risk on his projection, but his strong compete and tremendous skill plus track record of scoring, makes you think there is still a very good chance he can become a quality top-six wing in the NHL." - Pronman The bold is why I don't think he's good at assessing prospects.

Yes. Hope it didn't seem like I wasn't. As EP put it, the difference between Bedard's hockey iq and Bensons, is closer than between Benson and whoever you want to put 3rd from that class.

If he was 5'11" and 10% faster would have gone top 5-7. He shouldn't of been there at 13.

Benson is 5'10" 170lbs. That's Sabres training camp measurement. Combine put him at 5' 9.75" and 170lbs. He's not fast but he's quick and more importantly very agile.

There were some draft ppl that had Bedard, Fantilli, Benson, Carlsson, Michkov as their top 5 in that order. The March consensus rankings I have from the athletic have him as high as 5th and as low as 13th (pronman).

Honestly taking the ring to Mordor sounds easier and more enjoyable than the 13yrs of no playoffs.

He really should have been a top 5 pick. The skating speed is perfectly fine for the NHL and he's an absolute dog.

There was never much hope...

Well, I wouldn't want to disappoint you.

Gotta have heart. Miles and miles of heart.

Have you ever seen "Angels in the Outfield"?

There's no right answer and this isn't a trick. After the 3rd goal last night, I went to sleep. Saw the Benson goal in Twitter after I brushed my teeth. Got into bed and didn't think anymore about this team. I suppose I just care on some level because I'm here but also... I think I'm just bored. Honestly, I don't think I care anymore after 13 seasons of missing the playoffs.

Should probably call timeout. Either way, off to bed. Out shot. Out skated. Out worked. Out classed.

Night 🌙

What if we tried skating.