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Final Grades 2014: André Benoit, #61

Benoit was the kind of signing that made you go, "Hmmmm?" He turned out to be a good third-pairing player who put up some numbers, gave the kids a veteran presence on the blueline, and limited the times you still went "hmmmm?"

By Cheryl Bradley
Marilyn Indahl-USA TODAY Sports

André Benoit played a decent game this season. His role changed as the year progressed, as did his contributions, but relying on him in that bottom pairing was just fine. It was when he was put into a top-four role that things got sketchy. That said, he performed admirably when asked to play above his pay grade and solidly when utilized as he should have been.

Regular Season

Stats
GP G A P +/- PIM PP SH GW S S%
79 7 21 28 2 26 1 0 2 113 6.2

Advanced Stats 5 v. 5
CF% CF% Rel GF% GF% Rel Sh% Sv% PDO
46.60% -0.10% 50.00% -5.30% 8.70% 92.20% 100.9

Grade

B-

Staff Comments

c6hor8: Good at first but declined. The rise of Barrie eliminated Benoit's use.

Mike: My kid wears his number, so there's that.  Good season, smart player in his own end, above average offensive instincts.  Undersized, but seemed to "get" the man-to-man system. 28 P in 79 games from the blueline, y'all.

Cheryl: At times I didn't notice him, occasionally I'd note something good he did, and other times I'd drop some f-bombs. I guess you could say he was a well-rounded player! He was good for what he offered, and I'd rather have him than Guenin. But if Benoit is signed, it signals a disturbing lack of change for our blueline. Sorry, Cue Ball, but you gots to go.

Playoffs

Stats
GP G A P +/- PIM PP SH GW S S%
7 0 1 1 3 6 0 0 0 6 0

Advanced Stats 5 v. 5
CF% CF% Rel GF% GF% Rel Sh% Sv% PDO
43.10% 2.90% 60.00% 30.60% 13.30% 93.90% 107.3

Grade

B

Staff Comments

c6hor8: Did not look good.

mfured20: Benoit wasn't schooled all the time like some of the D, so good on him.  I was pretty happy with him, all around.  He was pretty cool headed and workman-like in his role.

Mike: Handled his match-ups well.  Seemed to work well with Holden.  We could have done worse for an emergency 2nd pair. Preferred him or Holden on PP to Parenteau.