Video: CAR@DAL: Robertson sets up Benn's overtime winner
It's a real challenge figuring out where Benn fits this upcoming season. Is he a third line center, and does that mean Radek Faksa needs to move to left wing and Denis Gurianov will play right wing on a line that could be a bit more aggressive offensively? Would that be a good thing for the team? Or should the coaches use Benn as a left wing on a line with Tyler Seguin and Alexander Radulov and trust that a great "second" line could really explode offensively while a third line with Faksa possibly centering Joel Kiviranta and Gurianov could also be pretty creative?
Benn's minutes dropped to 16:26 (10th on the team) two seasons ago and went back up to 17:47 last season with injuries to Seguin and Radulov. Should he settle back into the 16-minute range this season with the thought that he'd be fresher for the playoffs if they give him more rest? It's a lot to think about.
One thing is for sure, Benn still is the leader of this dressing room. Players love him, coaches trust him, and he can change a game with his attitude. He has a history of being better in the playoffs, and that's sort of how the Stars are building this season. Yes, they want to be good all year, but they want to be better at the end. Can Benn be a key to that?
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This story was not subject to the approval of the National Hockey League or Dallas Stars Hockey Club.
Mike Heikais a Senior Staff Writer for DallasStars.com and has covered the Stars since 1994. Follow him on Twitter @MikeHeika, and listen to his podcast.
