The easy way out

Thursday, 17 January 2013 12:45

Written by Dave Molinari

The Penguins' decision to send winger Beau Bennett to their farm team in Wilkes-Barre today doesn't mean he isn't one of the top 23 players in the organization.

It simply means that he could go back to the Baby Penguins without having to clear waivers, so management didn't have to risk losing a player on waivers for the sake of keeping Bennett in Pittsburgh.

He proved during the past four days that he's ready to contribute at this level, and there's every reason to think he'll be back when the Penguins determine they need a skilled forward, whether it's because of injuries or slumps.

And because he is just halfway through his first pro season, Bennett still has much to learn and will not have his development retarded by spending more time in the American Hockey League.

The Penguins could have made a compelling case for keeping him in the NHL, but there's also one to be made for sending him down.

For what quite possibly is the final time in his career.