Go back and watch the highlights. He's either playing as if he's bigger (was not a small kid) or with a completely different mindset.
So either he's broken mentally, and a bust. Or he needs size to play his style of game. I choose to believe the latter.
He's somewhat damaged mentally. That goes not having the role he was drafted for. Anyone would be, but nothing ice time wouldn't fix.
He's not a bust.
He is able to play his game in the NHL.
In the NHL, there are 229 forwards who have logged 2200+ minutes from 2017-Present.
Per minute,
On-ice:
Sam Bennett ranks 51st in shot attempts for
Sam Bennett ranks 64th among those in on-ice expected goals for.
Sam Bennett ranks 59th among those in on-ice scoring chances for.
Sam Bennett ranks 200th among those in on-ice goals for.
Sam Bennett ranks 217th among those in time on ice.
Individually:
Sam Bennett ranks 31st among those in expected goals
Sam Bennett ranks 28th among those in scoring chances
Sam Bennett ranks 51st in
unblocked shot attempts
Sam Bennett ranks 129th among those in goals, right there with names like Phil Kessel (127th), Elias Lindholm(133rd), and even Sidney Crosby (117)
Sam Bennett ranks 61st in takeaways
We literally have a guy who makes stuff happen almost every shift and our solution is to plop him as far down the lineup as possible.
The Flames get a LOT of rubber going towards the net when he's on the ice, whether it's him OR his linemates. He finishes at a respectable rate. His linemates don't. And that is why he doesn't get assists.
That's not a guy failing to play his game. It's a guy who's never getting ice time and when he is getting ice time it's with linemates who don't finish the chances he creates.
Of course no one cares and just wants to talk about toe drags. As if top players never fail on toe drags.
Defensively he's strong too but I am focused on offense.
He's the same player who deserved to be drafted 4th overall. Calgary is just a horrible organization.