Matt Benning

Matt Benning

29-Year-Old DefensemanD
San Jose Sharks
IR
Injury Hip
Est. Return 9/15/2024
2023 Fantasy Outlook
Benning quietly had a pretty nice season in his first year with the Sharks, posting new career-best marks in assists (23), points (24), blocked shots (125) and average time on ice (19:47 in 77 games). Benning also finished with an ugly minus-18 rating, which isn't surprising considering the minutes he logged for one of the NHL's worst teams. With Erik Karlsson since dealt to Pittsburgh, there's a real chance Benning's usage could increase 2023-24 given San Jose's lack of better options. If the 29-year-old ends up quarterbacking the top power-play unit, he could have some appeal in deep fantasy formats. Read Past Outlooks
$Signed a four-year, $5 million contract with the Sharks in July of 2022.
Done for season
DSan Jose Sharks
Hip
January 4, 2024
Benning underwent successful hip surgery, general manager Mike Grier said Thursday, and will be out of action five months.
ANALYSIS
That would put Benning out for the season as the Sharks are at the bottom of the NHL standings. Benning ends the season with two assists, 29 blocked shots and 15 hits in 14 games. He should be ready for the start of training camp in September.
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NHL Stats
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2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2023 NHL Game Log
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2022 NHL Game Log
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2021 NHL Game Log
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2020 NHL Game Log
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2019 NHL Game Log
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2017 NHL Game Log
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2023–24 Time On Ice Stats
  • Average Time On Ice:
    18:29
  • Average Power Play TOI:
    0:00
  • Average Short-Handed TOI:
    2:52
 
Ice Time
Power Play
Short-Handed
2021–22
16:20
0:02
2:11
2022–23
19:47
0:48
2:49
2023–24
18:29
0:00
2:52
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Sharks Power Play Depth Chart
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Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Matt Benning See More
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January 5, 2023
Chris Morgan reviews Friday's Yahoo slate, delivering some insights to help you craft an effective DFS lineup.
DraftKings NHL: Sunday Breakdown
January 1, 2023
Chris Morgan takes us through Sunday’s New Year’s Day DraftKings slate, which features four games.
Latest Fantasy Rumors
Scratched against Isles
DSan Jose Sharks
December 5, 2023
Benning will be a healthy scratch for Tuesday's matchup with the Islanders, Sheng Peng of San Jose Hockey Now reports.
ANALYSIS
Benning has one assist, eight PIM and 11 blocks in six games since returning from an undisclosed injury. With Benning dropping from the lineup, something that will likely continue to happen this season, Marc-Edouard Vlasic will play just his second game since Nov. 14 against the Panthers.
See All NHL Rumors
Past Fantasy Outlooks
2020
2019
2018
2017
Benning battled head injuries throughout the 2019-20 campaign, skating in only 43 games for the Oilers. He amassed eight points, 78 hits and 34 blocked shots, but he was not given a qualifying offer in the offseason. The Predators nabbed him with a two-year contract, and he's set to compete for a bottom-pairing job. Benning's shown upside offensively in the past, with a career high of 21 points in 2017-18. He's also a very physical player, so fantasy managers in deeper formats may want to add him for his hit totals alone. The injury history is concerning -- there's risk in expecting the 26-year-old to stay healthy throughout the year, and he's not guaranteed to see an everyday role.
Benning, 25, noticeably regressed in 2018-19. A year removed from collecting 21 points in 73 games and averaging 17:17 of ice time along the way, Benning recorded just five goals and 12 assists in 2018-19 while seeing his playing time fall to 14:57. With Edmonton's top four defenseman all under contract, it'll be tough for Benning to work his way out of a third-pairing role this upcoming season, which is a reality that obviously limits his fantasy value. However, Benning's age makes him an attractive pick in dynasty formats. Leave him alone come draft day but keep an eye on how things shake out on the back end for Alberta's northernmost team.
Naturally, Benning's offensive pace reached new heights as he earned an expanded role and garnered 17:17 of average ice time throughout his sophomore season. The hometown blueliner bested his rookie totals, posting 21 points, 149 hits and 82 blocked shots through 73 games. Edmonton rewarded the young skater with a two-year contract extension in July of 2018. For now, he is buried on the depth chart in Oil Country but the two-way player is worth monitoring in deep leagues amidst his maturing career.
Benning turned in a solid rookie year while serving as a third-pairing defender for Edmonton last season, tallying 15 points, a plus-8 rating and 111 hits across 62 contests. A modest offensive performer at Northeastern University before he made the jump directly to the NHL, the 2012 sixth-round pick doesn't possess much offensive upside, but he'll continue solidifying the back end of the Oilers’ blue line in 2017-18. Fantasy owners in formats that count hits and blocks may be the only one who get much utility out of him, though.
More Fantasy News
Out indefinitely
DSan Jose Sharks
Lower Body
December 13, 2023
Benning (lower body) is out indefinitely, coach David Quinn told Sheng Peng of San Jose Hockey Now on Wednesday.
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Shifts to IR
DSan Jose Sharks
Lower Body
December 12, 2023
Benning (lower body) was moved to injured reserve Tuesday, per the NHL media site.
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Deemed week-to-week
DSan Jose Sharks
Undisclosed
December 9, 2023
Benning (lower body) is considered week-to-week, Sheng Peng of San Jose Hockey Now reports.
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Activated off injured reserve
DSan Jose Sharks
November 24, 2023
Benning (undisclosed) was taken off injured reserve Friday.
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Nearing return to action
DSan Jose Sharks
Undisclosed
November 20, 2023
Benning (undisclosed) is close to getting back into the lineup according to head coach David Quinn, Max Miller of The Hockey News reports Monday.
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