Except you still don't get it.It has nothing to do with being elite or not being elite. It has to do with getting the most out of your abilities. It's like Tom Wilson isn't close to as talented as Bennett is but Bennett isn't half the player Wilson is. Because Wilson like Gio gives everything he has to be the best player he can be, even if he isn't as skilled as Bennett is. While Bennett who despite being much more skilled is wasting his talent being less than he should be.. You can say he's more talented all you like but if he ain't using it, what good is it?
Nobody ever claimed Wilson was some elite talent but plenty said Bennett should be. But who is the one getting the most out of what he has? You know the answer as well as I do. That's the point
I believe what you're missing out on is usage.
Wilson is riding shotgun with one of the most offensive lines in the NHL.....
Bennett is playing third line minutes.
No one try's harder than Bennett, he's just not put in a position to succeed to the degree Wilson has.
Put Bennett on a line with Ovi and Kuz and you'd see a lot different totals, and most likely effort.
God forbid he might even look like he's having fun playing hockey again.
I've got nothing against Tom Wilson. But he's nothing more than a less talented Pat Maroon. Oiler fans kept telling us he was a legit 1st line winger. Wasn't "just" a product of McDavid. But when he stopped playing with McDavid he fell off a cliff, back to being Maroon.