Observations:

February 2015 – After finishing up a solid career at the University of North Dakota, Blood has bounced around between the Senators AHL and ECHL affiliates.  After starting the season in Wheeling (ECHL), Blood made the decision to sign with Stjernen in Norway for the remainder of the season.  Although a strong asset in the defensive zone, Blood struggles with the offensive side of the game and does not appear to have the game to be fantasy relevant.  His value lies in being a bruising, stay at home defensemen who can cover for his more offensive linemates.  The writing may be on the wall for his NHL career, after not playing a game in Binghamton in 2014-2015 and making the jump to a mid-level European league. Kevin LeBlanc

March 2014 – In his first full season with the Binghamton Senators Ben Blood has maintained a plus-eight through 47 games, tallying just a pair of assists in the process.  Although Blood does play a physical style of game he’s most likely never going to emerge as a relevant fantasy defenseman, especially considering his strengths are not applicable to fantasy statistics (i.e. penalty killing,). Nathan Martin

July 2012 – Ben Blood is a huge, physical defenseman who has the tendency to play on the edge. A graduate of the well-known Shattuck St. Mary’s prep school, Blood has since played one season in the USHL followed by four years at the University of North Dakota before jumping to the AHL at the end of the 2011-2012 season. While Blood is known more for his physicality and defense, he also has shown decent offensive ability at the NCAA level. A good skater for his size, Blood also displays good character and leadership on and off the ice. Blood signed a three year entry level contract in the spring and will play for the Binghamton Senators this fall.

Fantasy Outlook: D

Blood has value for leagues that incorporate hits, blocked shots, and PIM. While he was decent offensively in the NCAA, he projects as a stay-at-home defenseman in the pros. He is a couple of years away from battling for an NHL roster spot.

Footage:

Blood lays the boom on Jason Zucker:

{youtube}6-K3w2cEYTw{/youtube}

Blood scores a goal vs. Minnesota:

{youtube}XqoAoUUZjY4{/youtube}

Buy the latest Fantasy Prospects Report here.

Ben Blood's statistics courtesy of Elite Prospects

{source}

<iframe src="http://www.eliteprospects.com/iframe_player_stats.php?player=14382" width="100%" height="355" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" ></iframe>

{/source}