Talent Analysis

Bennett is an offensively creative winger who is most effective when the puck is on his stick. He has the ability to carry the puck up ice, run the powerplay from the half-boards, play the point, and possesses a hard and accurate repertoire of shots. He is also quite adept at creating open ice.

"[Bennett] is a guy who you maybe look to get opportunities to see what he can do in offensive roles," Penguins head coach Dan Bylsma said of the winger. "Not necessarily a guy who's going to race up and down the ice with his speed, but just his hands, his ability to create space, (and) ability to get his shot off is fairly evident in seeing him. You envision that in him as a pro player."

Since he was drafted in 2010, Bennett has added 40 pounds and an inch in height, putting him well into the average realm of height and weight for NHL forwards. He has also dramatically improved his skating over the past two seasons and now possesses a relatively explosive first step.

For now Bennett needs to continue refining the defensive side of his game as well as continue to get stronger.


Future

Though there is a chance he could start the 2012-13 season flanking Penguins center Sidney Crosby, it is more likely Bennett will play the majority if not all of the season in the AHL.