Not a common occurence for an 18 year old selected 11th overall(was even considered a reach) in the NHL draft to play his first season pro at the NHL level. Halfway through the season he has managed 18 points in 38 games mainly on 3rd line minutes or the powerplay. He won't be close to winning the Calder trophy by any means, but what a great pickup he was for the Pens.

28 comments

  1. Ben’s play definitely passes the eye test. He’s got what it takes to have a long, productive NHL career.

  2. Just imagine the production in 2-3 years when he bulks up a bit more and really starts to settle in. Exciting times

  4. His defense is most surprising to me. Points will come, it’s tough for a rookie playing a bottom 6 role to consistently contribute but he’s cutting out a nice role on a team with a lot of skill up front.

  5. Was only reach in media’s eyes.

    Seems to be future 1/2 C after he gets bigger and faster.

    Tremendous hockey iq.

  9. i’ve been so happy with him. especially impressive when compared with some of the older & more experienced rookies we’ve called up, he still seems to be more noticeable & solid. what a stud!

  10. He is going to be a star for years to come. So elusive, Amazing vision, facilitating is off the charts

  11. Admittedly I hadn’t seen much of him prior to the draft, but I looked up his highlights after and was pretty confused why he wasn’t ranked higher

  13. After watching the World Juniors, it’s really hard not to feel like we straight up robbed this draft. A lot of guys taken ahead of him still look like projects, while Ben already plays a mature, composed game. Walking into a third-line center role at 18 is huge, and it’s exactly what this team needed to stay competitive. It sucks that he’s not really in the Calder conversation, but the point totals don’t tell the whole story. He gets less ice time/special teams deployment than guys like Demidov and Schaefer, and he hasn’t exactly had consistent wingers either.

  14. Personally I am impressed and happy with the Muse’s lines and line structure.

    1st – Skill linel. HoF’er and two HoVG.

    2nd – Size line,

    3rd -“Kid” line

    4th – “Energy” line.

    Four very different looks.

  16. 40 pt pace as an 18yr old. Still growing and developing. Plays a 200’ game. Sign me up for kopitar 2.0

  18. A small observation… while he’s obviously not a physical player, he does not shy away from physical play and handles it like a champ. He just may very well wind up as a 1st line C.

  19. He plays a complete game, not flashy but some definite skills there. Reminds me of Ronnie Francis.

  20. I will upvote anything that talks about how great Kindel is. He is so skilled already, but I’m particularly impressed at his faceoffs. He was 11/13 Sunday and 7/8 Saturday. That’s an astonishingly high rate for an 18 year old and honestly better than many vets. StatMuse has him at 48% on the season. Crosby himself is at 56%. If Kindel is winning at this rate now, imagine how much better he will get as he gains experience, and gets stronger.

  21. Kindel is a keeper. He probably isn’t a first line player on a true Cup contender, but he’s a winger on the second line. My comp to him is Joey Mullen.

  22. What is impressive is the poise he has with the puck at his age. He scans the ice and doesn’t force things.

    He reminds me of Guentzel a bit. Not big, but not afraid to physical areas… Smart enough to not get killed.

  24. Maybe he’ll train with Crosby and MacKinnon this summer. It seems to have worked out pretty well for Celebrini.

  26. I remember I shit on dubas for this pick. Boy was I ever wrong.. sorry dubas 🙁

  27. I love his role with the team and also love the fact he’s playing with other young players. He’s continuously getting opportunities to succeed, which was the big criticism of Sully and not giving the younger kids opportunities in important situations

  28. As a hockey card collector I can’t wait for next year’s release. Hoping there is tons of BK RPA’s!

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