Patrick Kane, Steven Stamkos, Sidney Crosby, Alex Ovechkin. These players have headlined the league’s news for quite some time now. Most would have done a quick Google search seeing the name Jamie Benn four years ago. But the young captain of the Dallas Stars has paved his way in a forceful fashion over the last four years. Amongst an impressive draft class in 2007, Jamie Benn was no doubt the biggest steal of the draft. Despite winger Wayne Simmonds of the Philadelphia Flyers; defenceman P.K. Subban now of the Nashville Predators; and winger Carl Hagelin of the Pittsburgh Penguins; Benn has put up far more impressive numbers than his fellow under-rated classmates. Kane, Subban, and Logan Couture are the only three players who have appeared in an NHL All-Star Game drafted before Benn.
Benn recently signed an eight-year, $76 million mega deal. This contract has some questioning if he is worth the $9.5 million cap hit; and if he is truly one of the best in the game. The truth is that he is amongst the elite of the NHL, and is worth every penny of the new contract.
Worth Every Penny: Jamie Benn Is a Top Five Player in the NHL
Propelling the Stars to the playoffs, Benn did everything he could to lead his team against the gritty Anaheim Ducks in the 2014 postseason. As a captain should, Benn took over the series for his team and scored four goals and aided with one assist in the six games against the Ducks. Benn also scored the lone goal in the Olympics Semi-Final in Sochi to down the U.S. Olympic team. In the 2014-2015 season, Jamie Benn notched his first NHL award, claiming the Art Ross Trophy with 87 points. Some said that capturing the Art Ross was a fluke since Kane missed six weeks of the season due to injury. He came out the next season with a vengeance to prove to the league, fans, and himself that his success was not simply a fluke.
Proving it in 2015-16
This past season Benn proved the doubters wrong again. While leading his Stars to the second best record in the league and claiming the Western Conference title, he posted 89 points, leading him to finish second in the Art Ross running, falling to Patrick Kane who put up 106 points. He was also nominated for the Ted Lindsay Award as well as the Hart Memorial Trophy. Scoring is great, and an essential part of being a leader, but that’s not all that goes into it. Benn’s demeanor sticks out more than anything. Whether it’s squaring off in an epic helmetless scrap with Joe Thornton or a seemingly effortless OT wrister to down the Vancouver Canucks and set the tone for the season, Benn’s essence screams leader. A proven enforcer, the captain knows when to keep the gloves on because he is needed on the ice more instead of the box.
Speaking of using his body, Benn can flat out hit, which Dallas is in desperate need of this upcoming October. He doesn’t care if you’re Mats Zuccarello or Zdeno Chara, he will throw his body into you. That’s one thing that has to be apparent to every hockey spectator, that Benn commits absolutely everything he has. Notice when his line is scored on. Before the other team even begins celebrating, the captain is at center ice, refusing to look at coach Lindy Ruff, inaudibly pleading to Ruff to let him make up for the mistake. That’s how you know you have a true, pure-bred leader.
Communication
How he communicates with his team and coaches also shows his alpha-male qualities. Now if you listen to media interviews, or the awkward post-season speeches to the fans, one would think the Victoria native failed every speech class attempted, but that’s not what matters. How he speaks and acts with his teammates, that’s where one can see that he is a true leader. As soon as the victory green cascades on their shoulders, everything else ceases, and teammates turn into brothers. Benn doesn’t say this often, but he shows it in every stride, shot, and hit that he wants each guy in the same colored jersey to feel the thrill of victory.
Of course, each player has a small selfish ambition and wants to win a cup for themselves. However Benn leads each game in a way that inspires the other players on the team.His linemate and off-ice pal, Tyler Seguin, was late to the last practice of the 2014-2015 season, which consequentially led him to miss the last game of they year against the Predators, where Jamie had the opportunity to capture the Art Ross. Seguin was clearly upset that a simple mistake cost an opportunity to help secure the scoring title in an interview with Stars media. The fact that Jamie is such a leader and keeps his nose to the grind that makes his teammates want to help him succeed as an individual, speaks leagues about him as a player, person, and most importantly, leader.
Jamie Benn, undoubtedly, is a top five player in the NHL. His soft hands and tantalizing goals aren’t going anywhere. His numbers across the board speak for themselves, and the intangibles are apparent to all who take the time to watch him.
World Cup
Its unfortunate that Benn’s injury may keep him out of the upcoming World Cup. This is his time to shine. After claiming the Stanley Cup, everyone will be looking to Conn Smythe winner Sidney Crosby to take command and lead Canada to the expected gold. This is where Benn can really take control.
He won’t have to face much media or speak to many outside of the locker room, which is perfect for the face of the Stars. If he is able to play in the tournament, Benn will have the opportunity to let his actions speak louder than his (few) words. He will have the opportunity to be a leader while surrounded by so many hockey greats. So while Been brings every single possible aspect of the game to the table. He is a complete player and a future hall of famer. His value would truly be shown in a best on best tournament, as it was in the 2014 Sochi Olympics.
SAN JOSE, CA – JANUARY 16: Martin Jones #31 and Brent Burns #88 of the San Jose Sharks protect the net against Jamie Benn #14 of the Dallas Stars at SAP Center on January 16, 2016 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Rocky W. Widner/NHL/Getty Images)
