Dallas Stars’ Jamie Benn Ranked 4th Best NHL Forward
The NHL Network recently ranked the best forwards in the league. The captain of the Dallas Stars is continuing to work his way up in the rankings.
The NHL Network recently came out with their list of the best forwards in the league. As their name would suggest, they know the NHL. To no one’s surprise Dallas Stars captain Jamie Benn was on it; however, he was disappointedly ranked 4th.
Benn’s professional hockey career has been nothing short of impressive, despite not having won a Stanley Cup yet. He’s earned the Art Ross Trophy, been a key player in Team Canada’s gold medal victory in 2014 and he did it all being drafted in the fifth round.
With someone as talented as the Dallas Stars’ captain ranked fourth, it makes the top three rather controversial.
#3 Alexander Ovechkin
Nicknamed the “Great Eight”, Alexander Ovechkin made his mark on the league back in 2005-06 during his rookie season. He posted a remarkable 106 points (52G, 54A) during his 81 game regular season.
In each season following the fewest number of points No. 8 has put up is 65, disregarding the shortened 2012-13 season. That is quite a feat for a league in which scoring have become more and more difficult.
Ovechkin’s offensive abilities are really what makes him a star. He’s 966 points in just 839 games for the Washington Capitals and he serves as their captain as well. Defensively, however, the Russian struggles.
He’s also never hoisted the Stanley Cup, despite his incredible offensive performances. Year after year he and his Captials can’t seem to find the right combination, causing them to fall short of their biggest goal.
Ovechkin has a more explosive shot than Benn, but lacks the defensive game of No. 14.
#2 Sidney Crosby
Sidney Crosby was labeled as the “Next One” upon his entry into the league in 2005 and he hasn’t disappointed.
He’s a two time Art Ross Trophy winner and a two time Stanley Cup Champion. He’s also won the Hart Trophy twice and earned the Conn Smythe Trophy for the playoff MVP this year.
Although his offensive output isn’t what it once was, he scored 120 points in 79 games in 2006-07, his team has been successful. Two Stanley Cups in seven years is a very difficult thing to do in today’s NHL.
Crosby was the youngest captain to win a Stanley Cup back in 2009 with the Penguins and he has only added to his resume since. He served as captain for Team Canada in the 2014 Olympics, which resulted in his first gold medal. He won the Mark Messier Leadership Award in both 2007 and 2010. The list goes on.
No. 87’s offensive skills have a similar flair to Benn’s, but Crosby lacks the physicality he brings to the game. No. 87’s accomplishments are hard to ignore, but the list should really focus on the impact of the player at the present moment. Although Crosby’s team was the best last season, it doesn’t make him the second best individual player.
#1 Patrick Kane
The number one spot on the NHL Network’s list of the best forwards is Chicago’s Patrick Kane. As the reigning Art Ross Trophy winner, Kane is the best he’s ever been offensively. To win, he scored an impressive 106 points in 82 games last season and beat out Dallas Stars captain Jamie Benn by 17 points.
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The 27-year-old has won three Stanley Cups, a Conn Smythe Trophy and the Hart Trophy. He’s also represented the United States in the Olympics in both 2010 and 2014, earning a silver medal.
Kane’s skills aren’t up for debate. He’s a very talented forward and he’s shown how dynamic of a player he can be offensively. Defensively, however, is another story. Kane is much more focused on the offensive side of the game than the overall team game.
Final Thoughts
Overall this list fails to look at the players holistically, it merely scratches the surface. Forwards in the NHL today have to be able to play in all three zones of the ice and do it well, which is something this list doesn’t account for.
The best forwards heading into the new season shouldn’t be focused on their resumes or how many trophies they’ve won, it should be based on how the player has played in the last year or so. Based on that mindset it makes sense to have Jamie Benn in at least one of the top two spots.
Next: Dallas Stars Set To Give Kari Lehtonen One More Chance
Jamie Benn, however, will continue to be the Jamie Benn the Dallas Stars know and love. He doesn’t care if he’s regarded as the best player in the league or not because he’s that focused on his game. Regardless of this list, Benn will prove why he’s the best come October when it really matters.