Benoit: The elusive depth OFD we have been looking for

armani

High Jacques
Apr 8, 2005
9,909
4,728
Uranus
Benoit has been better than expected - PMac is really getting the most out of this career AHLer. I don't know if he figures into BMurr's long-term plans - I believe Benoit has ceiling-ed out in terms of development. I guess Benoit can be this team's MAB/Whitney in the short-term.

Wiercioch still has ways to go before he hits his ceiling. If groomed right, he can be a solid top-4 guy down the line as a 2-way defenceman.

Gryba is the potential replacement of Phillips as the team's consistent # 6.

2013/2014 (depth chart status quo)

Cowen-Karlsson
Methot-Gryba (reminiscent of Phillips-Volchenkov in my dream scenario)
Wiercioch-Phillips (both left-handed shots, much rather have Phillips play on the off-hand to allow Wiercioch's offensive game to grow)
Benoit/Boro

2014/2015 (Phillips gets put down and sent to the glue factory; Benoit further down the depth chart)

Cowen-Karlsson
Wiercioch-Ceci
Methot-Gryba
Boro/Wikstrand/Blood/Benoit
 

Healfezza

Registered User
Sep 9, 2008
581
15
Red Deer
I have no doubt that Benoit has hit his ceiling for the most part, but I do really like what he brings to the table on the bottom pairing. I personally think that he has been the best of the Bingo AHL callup defencemen in terms of consistency. Weircoch will be better then him, but the jury is out on Gryba and Borocop as to where they will settle in over the long term as well.

All this said, Benoit IS an easily replaceable player but I think that what he brings in his role on the team is more valuable then other candidates for a spot on our 3rd pairing.
 

PoutineSp00nZ

Electricity is really just organized lightning.
Jul 21, 2009
20,046
5,653
Ottawa
I like Benoit's game. He struggles when pressured and can get outplayed physically along the boards in his own end, but he's a shifty little SOB out there with the puck and has a knack for getting it to the net. I like him as a 6th/7th defenseman with time on the second PP unit. Even with Karlsson on the team.
 

CanadianHockey

Smith - Alfie
Jul 3, 2009
30,547
513
Petawawa
twitter.com
He's a journeyman showing he can step play as a #6/7 on a well coached team. He's got support on every play and doesn't have to think much to make a decision. Ottawa has one of the best breakout systems in the league. There's always an outlet option, so our D rarely have the puck for more than a few strides. When every AHL callup is looking really good, you need to realize the team is well coached, moreso than those AHL callups are so good that they should all have a role in this team's long-term plan.

Tl;dr Benoit is a serviceable player, but he's not good enough to be more than an interchangeable part on this team.
 

Hale The Villain

HFBoards Sponsor
Sponsor
Apr 2, 2008
25,658
13,243
For now he's a decent stop-gap, but hopefully we look to replace him as this team gets more competitive in the years to come; don't see him as a long term Sen at all.
 

BonkTastic

ಠ_ಠ
Nov 9, 2010
30,901
10,092
Parts Unknown
Guy looks like he's good enough to be in the NHL, but probably not good enough to be anything more than a #6 guy who is dependable enough to fill in as a #4 or 5 guy when needed, without giving the coach a heart-attack.

At this point in his career however, what you see is what you get.
 

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