No fewer than 11 players have reached the 100-point plateau in the National Hockey League this season. But beyond the stars, there are those players who impressed in 2022-2023 without letting too much ink flow.
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Here are five members of the Bettman Circuit whose seasons deserve to be highlighted.
Jeff Skinner (Buffalo Sabers)
Gossip will say that Skinner is finally fulfilling the lucrative pact that allows him to raise $9 million annually, or that he’s simply benefiting from playing left von Tage Thompson. However, it should be noted that by the age of 30, Skinner was reaching new heights, amassing 79 points, including 34 goals. His 61 points at even strength put him 15th in the league and he posted a positive differential (+13) for the second time in his career. Unfortunately for the Torontonian, however, he will have to wait for his baptism of fire in the playoffs as the Buffalo Sabers were beaten by a point overall at the finish line.
Jamie BennDallas Stars
The emergence of Jason Robertson and Roope Hintz has done a lot for the career of Benn, who once carried the Stars offense on his shoulders. After being limited to 53 points or fewer in each season between 2018-19 and 2021-22, the 33-year veteran has shown he hasn’t lost his offensive touch this season by blacking out the scorer’s chart 78 times. Head coach Peter DeBoer seems to have struck the right balance when it comes to Benn’s playing time, who was the 13th busiest Stars player. His 3.62 points per 60 minutes put him 13th in the league. The Texas team has the advantage of getting the best out of their captain as he will be paid an annual salary of $9.5 million through 2025.
Brock Nelson (Islander of New York)
Nelson isn’t the flamboyant player on the circuit, nor is he the most talented of the New York Islanders. At the age of 31, he has just finished his seventh season of 20+ goals and his second straight season of 35+ goals. Despite the Isles’ weak power play, the American set a new personal score (75). Nelson had his best moments of the campaign at the most opportune time as the Big Apple roster struggled to retain its spot among teams drafted in the East. He has six goals and 10 points in his team’s last 10 games.
Adrian Kempe (Los Angeles Kings)
Some observers raised eyebrows when the Kings offered the Sweden forward a four-year, $22million deal last summer, fresh off his debut 20-plus goal season aged 25. Not only has Kempe lived up to expectations in 2022-2023, it has also emerged as one of the best value for money on the circuit. He is one of only three players, along with Tage Thompson and Jared McCann, to have scored 40 goals while earning an annual salary of less than $6 million. Kempe is used by his head coach in all areas, notably being the fourth attacker to have played the most minutes at a numerical disadvantage for the Kings. He didn’t hesitate to use his big frame either: his 119 shots are good for the third level among members of the California team.
Vince DunnSeattle Kraken
The expansion design allowed Dunn to spread his wings in the Bettman circuit. The 26-year-old full-back had to settle for playing second fiddle with the St. Louis Blues and quickly became the Kraken’s No. 1 defenseman. He spent nearly 24 minutes per game on the ice with partner Adam Larsson and became the Seattle team’s greatest player in the transition period. Only 10 defensemen had more points (64) than the Mississauga native in 2022-23. Dunn will have another opportunity to prove himself in the first round of the playoffs, where the Kraken meets the Colorado Avalanche. Then it’s payday: In July he will be free with a severance payment.