Could Bennett find success Domi has with HABs?

Flames forward and former Coyotes pick have experienced similar career arcs

It’s certainly far too soon to rule out an offensive breakthrough for Calgary Flames forward Sam Bennett.

The evidence will be out there Thursday, buzzing around the Saddledome sheet in No. 13 in road whites.

A past lottery pick in the NHL Draft.

A guy who found the back of the net 18 times during his rookie campaign, but hasn’t reached the same stratosphere since.

An intriguing blend of speed and skill and snark.

Sound familiar?

With the Flames playing host to the Montreal Canadiens for their annual visit (7 p.m., Sportsnet West/Sportsnet 960 The Fan), keep an eye on Max Domi.

The 23-year-old centre is the Habs’ leading scorer.

He is riding a seven-game point spree.

He is a reminder that not all up-and-comers develop — or dent twine — at the same rapid rate.

“Obviously, he’s had a really good start to this year,” Bennett said of Domi, who has racked up 10 goals — more than halfway to a career-high — and a dozen assists in 18 outings this fall. “For sure, I would love to have a start like that, but I don’t think that is out of my reach — playing like that or having that impact in games. So definitely it’s nice to see that.”

The big difference between the two, of course, is Domi’s earlyseason scoring splurge comes after a change of address.

Tie’s son was selected by the Arizona Coyotes in the opening round of the 2013 NHL Draft, called to the stage at No. 12 overall, but traded to Montreal this summer in a straight-up swap for another highly-touted youngster in Alex Galchenyuk.

The fit so far?

Très bien.

Domi has been among the NHL’s best in November, with at least a point in each of his seven skates this month.

It’s hard to believe this guy only scored nine times last winter on behalf of the Desert Dogs, with four of ’em fired into an empty net (Bennett, for comparison’s sake, buried 13 for a second consecutive campaign).

“He has a lot of talent, has a lot of skill and ability, and I think when you combine that with the work ethic that he has had, it makes for what you see,” said Canadiens winger Brendan Gallagher of Domi, who was absent from Wednesday’s practice in Calgary for maintenance reasons and wasn’t available to the media.

“He’s a dangerous player, a guy that (opponents) have to be aware of. And he can kind of do a bit of everything.

“We knew we were getting a very skilled, talented player who was going to work hard and compete. He’s come in and he’s just been himself, and that’s what you get.”

During a recent radio hit on Sportsnet 960 The Fan, ace insider Elliotte Friedman mentioned Domi as an example of why the Flames aren’t ready to trade Bennett, a cautionary tale of sorts.

Without a doubt, Brad Treliving ’s counterparts must call to inquire about the availability of the hard-nosed left-hander in No. 93.

And why not? With his toolbox, the 22-year-old is still a prime candidate to pop.

Perhaps he would benefit from a change of scenery, away from the pressure that comes with being the highest draft pick in Flames franchise history, the fourth-overall holler in 2014.

Perhaps, though, the patience will pay off here.

Bennett, with just two goals and a pair of helpers this season, has been promoted to skate on the second line against the Canadiens, manning his off-wing alongside Mikael Backlund and Matthew Tkachuk.

“He’s played real well — he’s generated consistent chances, especially here recently,” said Flames head coach Bill Peters of Bennett. “He’s played very hard. He’s been competitive, a complete player. He hasn’t given up much. His analytic numbers are very good.

“Unfortunately, he’s been snakebit … He hasn’t caught many breaks offensively, but if he keeps playing the way he is, I think that will change.”

In three-plus seasons each as big-leaguers, Domi has more than twice as many assists as Bennett, but their goal totals are darn-near identical.

One has emerged as a go-to guy, albeit with his second employer. The other? Stay tuned. “Obviously, everyone wants to be on the scoresheet, get points,” Bennett said. “But sometimes when that is not going your way, you still have to be involved in the game and you have to make a difference and help the team win. So if you’re not getting on the scoresheet, you have to contribute in other ways.

“I’m not one dimensional. I’m always trying to help this team win. I can play physical. I can use my body and get pucks deep. I’m happy that I can still do that, even when the points aren’t coming.”

Unfortunately, he’s been snakebit … He hasn’t caught many breaks offensively, but if he keeps playing the way he is, I think that will change.