PHI
PIT
TOR
MTL
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DET
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Mason Marchment | LW
Adam Mascherin | LW
Maxim Mayorov | LW
Curtis McKenzie | LW
Yevgeni Oksentyuk | LW
Michael Raffl | LW
Jamie Benn
ON-ICE VALUE
Top-Six Forward
STRENGTHS
Dual Threat: Benn has a complete offensive skill set. He possesses an accurate wrist shot, he’s a stellar playmaker and he has the hands to burn opponents in tight. As such, teams must respect his tools and can’t cheat in any direction. Though his finishing has definitely tailed off in recent years, he remains a versatile and dangerous forward.
Physicality: One of the few old-school power forwards left, Benn utilizes his 6’2”, 210-pound frame to impose his will on the game. He’s exceptionally strong down low, which allows him to thrive in possession. And if you poke the bear, he’ll reveal a mean streak that elevates him to the upper echelon of the sport. When he’s engaged, he’s a terrifying player to contend with.
Defense: While his offensive contributions have dipped, Benn is still a two-way stalwart who can play in all situations. His reach and hockey sense ensure that he’s on the right side of the puck. Even when he’s not producing, he’s helping his team in some capacity.
WEAKNESSES
Discipline: The nastiness can spill over into dumb penalties at times. Benn is an emotional player, and if the opposition can push the right buttons, he can be thrown off his game. Live by the sword, die by the sword.
Consistency: The most frustrating aspect of Benn’s steady decline is that the dominant force is still in there somewhere. Similarly to Evgeni Malkin, he can absolutely take over games by barreling down the ice like a bull in a china shop. However, those flashes are becoming less and less common. These days, he’s mostly just a decent three-zone player.
