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C/LW Matthew Beniers - Univ. of Michigan, NCAA (2021, 2nd, SEA)

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Best forward on the team says hi.

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Just talking shit, Matty is going to be a stud. Super complete player and he’s going to be a Kraken C sometime shortly.
 
1. Lovely team goal from the Wolverines. A long cycle from Hughes leaves Johnson in an excellent position, and he puts it on a silver platter for Beniers.

2. Beniers scores the Wolverines' fifth unanswered as U of M takes down UMD in tonight's top five match-up.

 
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Only 6th in scoring on Michigan with 7 points in 9 games. How has he looked? Snakebitten or just not creating as much offensively compared to his teammates?
 
Zaddy said:
Only 6th in scoring on Michigan with 7 points in 9 games. How has he looked? Snakebitten or just not creating as much offensively compared to his teammates?
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I think that it depends on your expectations of the player to an extent. If you wanted to see Beniers take on a bigger offensive role this year and ratchet up his production and showcase more of his offensive tools, then I think it's fair to be a little under-whelmed. That said, I think it makes sense in context. Because of the talent on Michigan's roster, play is rarely dictated in a way that sets up Beniers to produce points.

If you look at the top producers on this team, there are usually a couple of "on-brand" ways that they produce their points. Brisson is by far the easiest example- almost every single one of his goals this year is a one-timer from the left half-wall. That is the look that Michigan tries to generate on its first powerplay unit. It usually comes from a lot of perimeter puck-swinging and shot-baiting, which I think explains why so often Johnson and Power have the assists on Brisson's goals. Both players utilize their good footwork to bait a strong shot, or swing the pass to an open point or half-wall. On these plays, Beniers is usually tasked with cleaning up errant passes behind the net and winning board battles/face-offs.

I wouldn't say Beniers has been brilliant so far or anything, but I think he's continuing to excel in the areas that folks who like his game appreciate. If we see more offense as the year progresses that would be great, but if not I don't think it would give me too much concern if I'm a Kraken fan.

Of course he'll play a big role at the WJC too, so that will be worth watching.
 
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Ed Ned and Leddy said:
I think that it depends on your expectations of the player to an extent. If you wanted to see Beniers take on a bigger offensive role this year and ratchet up his production and showcase more of his offensive tools, then I think it's fair to be a little under-whelmed. That said, I think it makes sense in context. Because of the talent on Michigan's roster, play is rarely dictated in a way that sets up Beniers to produce points.

If you look at the top producers on this team, there are usually a couple of "on-brand" ways that they produce their points. Brisson is by far the easiest example- almost every single one of his goals this year is a one-timer from the left half-wall. That is the look that Michigan tries to generate on its first powerplay unit. It usually comes from a lot of perimeter puck-swinging and shot-baiting, which I think explains why so often Johnson and Power have the assists on Brisson's goals. Both players utilize their good footwork to bait a strong shot, or swing the pass to an open point or half-wall. On these plays, Beniers is usually tasked with cleaning up errant passes behind the net and winning board battles/face-offs.

I wouldn't say Beniers has been brilliant so far or anything, but I think he's continuing to excel in the areas that folks who like his game appreciate. If we see more offense as the year progresses that would be great, but if not I don't think it would give me too much concern if I'm a Kraken fan.

Of course he'll play a big role at the WJC too, so that will be worth watching.
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Thanks, good post. Yeah without having watched the games I imagined that a lot of Johnson and Brisson's production was driven by the powerplay so that makes sense, but I guess the hope is that Beniers can be a force at 5v5 and produce at a good pace there too.

Personally I've been quite skeptical about his offensive upside and see him more as a really good #2C than a true #1C in the future so his current production seems to be quite in line with my own expectations but maybe not as much with the scouting community.
 
Zaddy said:
Thanks, good post. Yeah without having watched the games I imagined that a lot of Johnson and Brisson's production was driven by the powerplay so that makes sense, but I guess the hope is that Beniers can be a force at 5v5 and produce at a good pace there too.

Personally I've been quite skeptical about his offensive upside and see him more as a really good #2C than a true #1C in the future so his current production seems to be quite in line with my own expectations but maybe not as much with the scouting community.
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No worries! So I would say I'm quite high on Beniers, but I also see him more as a really good #2C than a bonafide #1C to be honest. To me any player whose most likely outcome is a 1C is an easy #1OA quality prospect, I feel like we really only get those prospects once every three years or so.

If Seattle gets a good all-situations 2C who wears a letter I think you take that to the bank at #2OA, personally.
 
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Zaddy said:
Thanks, good post. Yeah without having watched the games I imagined that a lot of Johnson and Brisson's production was driven by the powerplay so that makes sense, but I guess the hope is that Beniers can be a force at 5v5 and produce at a good pace there too.

Personally I've been quite skeptical about his offensive upside and see him more as a really good #2C than a true #1C in the future so his current production seems to be quite in line with my o wn expectations but maybe not as much with the scouting community.
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My expectation with Beniers is a good shutdown 2C as well. What I am curious about is what is the ceiling with his offensive production in that role? Is 60 points a season a realistic expectation?
 
Chainshot said:
Ripping it -

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I feel like this clip highlights the point I was trying to make above about the context of Beniers' role in Michigan's offense. For a lot of this season, he hasn't been put in a scoring role. When he gets chances in the "Brisson spot" (left half-wall), he can produce more offense.

Matty has really turned it up these past few series.
 
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He looks very fast and strong. Has good, but not exceptional skill. Excellent defensively and on the forecheck. Getting Mark Messier vibes from him, though don't know if he has a mean streak.
 
He's improved his shooting tremendously, wow.
 
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