Observations:

March 2015 – Still only 23, the skilled winger is not earning many points either on Pittsburgh scoresheets or with the Penguins’ braintrust. Injuries and uninspired play have conspired to leave Bennett with just three goals and seven assists in 39 NHL games. He’s been eclipsed on the depth chart by imports Patric Hornqvist, David Perron and even lesser lights such as Blake Comeau and Nick Spaling – and this with a season-ending to Pascal Dupuis creating an opening. It’s conceivable that Bennett could even be benched or demoted in favour of other young players on the playoff roster. Mark Allan

January 2015 – Bumped up from the third line to the second, the young forward is playing with Evgeni Malkin and Nick Spaling. Although he got 1:28 of power-play time Jan. 18 in a 5-2 loss to the Rangers, Bennett went pointless and played a total of just 14:52. That, and the impending return of fellow right winger Patric Hornqvist from an injury, isn’t encouraging. Bennett, noticeably playing with grit and intensity, will get playing time somewhere even if it means dipping back down to a line centered by Brandon Sutter. As ever, Bennett must stay healthy to realize his potential. After 15 games, he had only two goals and five assists, including a Jan. 7 score assisted by Malkin. Mark Allan

December 2014 – Already recuperating from a knee injury, then beset by mumps, the talented if unlucky young winger skated Dec. 28 with his Pittsburgh teammates for a second straight day.  Considered day to day after missing 14 games, Bennett would be welcomed with open arms by the Pens, who had a ridiculous and most unlucky 13 players on the official injury list as of Dec. 28. With Patric Hornqvist listed as week to week, Bennett has a shot at flanking Sidney Crosby or Evgeni Malkin. Head coach Mike Johnston said, though, the Penguins will not rush Bennett back.  Mark Allan

December 2014 – To cite bluesman Albert King, if Bennett didn’t have bad luck, he’d have no luck at all. The winger’s promising NHL career has been repeatedly sidetracked by injury, and he’s only 23. Now he’s become the 15th victim of a mumps outbreak in the NHL that made superstar teammate Sidney Crosby’s right cheek look like he had enough nuts in it to sustain a squirrel for an entire NHL season. Bennett was already out of action with a lower-body injury, but the mumps diagnosis is a depressing development for him and the Penguins, who were hunting for another talented winger before Pascal Dupuis was lost for six months with a blood clot. Mark Allan

December 2014 – If the talented winger could stay healthy, we would not still consider him a prospect. Already off to a slow start this season after an injury-related conditioning stint in the AHL, Bennett went on Pittsburgh’s IR for an anticipated two weeks after suffering a lower-body injury Nov. 24. At the time, he remained on the third line with Brandon Sutter and Steve Downie, although the Penguins were widely rumored to be on the hunt for an offensive winger even before Pascal Dupuis was lost for six months with a blood clot. Less-skilled wingers Nick Spaling and Blake Comeau continue to masquerade as top-six wingers (Comeau even had a hat trick Nov. 26 on a line with Evgeni Malkin). A job awaits Bennett with Malkin or Sidney Crosby – if he can avoid injuries. In seven games with Pittsburgh this season, Bennett has a goal and two assists, all from one game. Mark Allan

November 2014 – Scoreless in his first three games back from a five-game conditioning stint in the AHL, the skilled winger scored and added two assists Nov. 19 in a 4-0 win in Montreal. On a line with Brandon Sutter and Steve Downie, Bennett was named the game’s first star. His odds of regaining his role as a top-six forward soared when the Penguins announced that same day that winger Pascal Dupuis would miss at least six months due to a blood clot in a lung. It’s not a stretch to assume Bennett would take Dupuis’ spot on Evgeni Malkin’s right wing. A bright future waits if Bennett can just stay healthy. Mark Allan

November 2014 – As rumors surface about Pittsburgh adding an offensive winger, their best homegrown prospect has resumed playing after recuperating from his latest injury, a lower-body trauma. The highly creative right winger racked up five assists, six shots on goal and a plus-four rating in his first two AHL games of the season. He could be back in the NHL soon. Mark Allan

October 2014 – The potentially high-scoring winger might begin limited practices as November approaches. On Pittsburgh’s IR list with a lower-body injury, Bennett appears to be right on schedule for a mid-November return to the NHL. While his skill is undisputed, he must stay healthy to realize the faith Pittsburgh showed in drafting him 20th overall. Mark Allan

October 2014 – The winger is expected to remain on IR with a lower-body injury until mid-November. The Penguins will have to wait a little longer for Bennett to become a full-time, top-six scorer. Mark Allan

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September 2014 – Injuries continue to plague forward Beau Bennett after suffering a lower-body injury during main camp that will sideline him six weeks mossing games into November. For a player who has battled to remain injury-free, this setback is not overly promising as he does need to show that he can stay in the lineup. Brendan Ross

June, 2014 – The 2013-14 season was supposed to be Bennett’s breakout year. Instead, it was disappointing and injury-plagued. In all, Beau only played 36 games. He recently had surgery on his wrist, but the team is hopeful that it will be healed by the time training camp starts. When Bennett was healthy last season he showed glimpses of his impact-player future, but he couldn’t stay healthy enough to break out offensively. His injuries are certainly worrying, but Beau has a very positive outlook and he’ll be as hungry as ever to start next season with a bang. Seth Brisendine

October 2013 – Beau Bennett will be given more opportunities to succeed this season, possibly playing alongside Evgeni Malkin and James Neal. With PP time and more significant minutes, Bennett could tally around 35-40 points. Seth Brisendine

April 2013 – With the acquisition of Brenden Morrow and Jarome Iginla, Beau Bennett’s strong NHL showing came to an end and the Penguins reassigned him to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League. In 19 regular season games for Pittsburgh, Bennett accumulated two goals and nine points. Brendan Ross

March 2013 – After the failed Eric Tangradi experiment, the Penguins tried Bennett on the Evgeni Malkin line – with incredible results. As of mid-March he was on a run of five points in six games and looks very much like an NHL player. Dan Bylsma is trying to bring him along slowly, but he’s champing at the bit. He has thrust himself into the upper-echelon of fantasy prospects. – Dobber

February, 2012 – Bennett is a natural offensive talent currently playing at Denver University. Following a productive freshman season 25 points in 37 games, Bennett’s sophomore season has been derailed by wrist surgery. He had been off to a fine start prior to the injury, with 13 points in the Pioneers’ first 10 games. – Rich Dillon

Fantasy Outlook: B

Bennett is ready now and has not looked out of place alongside Malkin, but can’t seem to stay healthy enough to give us an extended look there.

Footage:

Beau Bennett’s first collegiate goal:

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Goal by Bennett, assisted by Malkin:

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Buy the latest Fantasy Prospects Report here.

Beau Bennett Statistics

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