When Bennett-Backlund-Frolik was our second line, Bennett was better than Frolik in that role, aside from the occasional typical rookie mistake in the D zone.
Bennett has struggled when centered by Granlund or when centering Chiasson/Brouwer, but I have seen enough with Backlund, Gaudreau, Frolik, even Colborne to think that if he doesn't improve from where he was last year, he is a strong middle six forward with decent linemates. Not paying him strictly because he struggled centering a third line is missing the forest for the trees. He was a 2LW at age 18, at age 19 he was a defensively solid 2LW, and now he starting to become a defensively strong center and elite penalty killer. That is all based on past performance, not future. He probably would have put up 25 / 25 if he were our 2LW/RW with Backlund and Tkachuk last year, does anyone seriously think otherwise? i mean I wouldn't put it past him to have hit 30/30 with those two.
Bennett is a natural center and is being developed as one on a team with two strong centers, so his stats took a hit. His actual worth right now is a 4+ million dollar player.
Getting him to a Klefbom deal is not a risk. Even statistically he has around 1.4 P/60 at even strength on his career, which is right in line with guys like Silfverberg and Frolik.