What Ben Hemmerling must do to shape his Golden Knights future
Vegas Golden Knights fans might want to pay attention to Ben Hemmerling. Here's how he can get more eyeballs to notice him.
Ben Hemmerling was turning heads at the Vegas Golden Knights development camp. His speed and finesse blazed across the ice during the camp, impressing Golden Knights personnel. He showed that he can be a threat to score at any juncture, making him a potential breakout candidate. That should warrant plenty of attention from Vegas hockey fans and NHL aficionados alike.
After all, who wouldn't want a flashy forward with incredible speed and offensive skills? It conjures memories of superstars like Pavel Datsyuk breezing through defenses while performing breathtaking dekes. It led to numerous goals (314 career goals, to be exact) and highlight reel moments for hockey fans to relish. It's no wonder he's going into the Hall of Fame.
He has proven himself to be a worthy piece in the lower leagues, too. During his time in the WHL with the Everett Slivertips, Hemmerling scored 64 goals and 143 assists in four seasons (199 games). That includes a strong 2023-24 campaign where he scored 30 goals and 61 assists in 65 games. Imagine the type of offense he can put up at the AHL level with the Henderson Silver Knights.
Another Hemmerling clip. pic.twitter.com/shvPwLvZt9
— Matthew Somma (@Mattsomma12) June 22, 2022
While he was an impressive prospect during developmental camp, he does have some things he can improve. The Golden Knights roster has plenty of big names ready to win the Stanley Cup. With original "Misfits" like William Karlsson and new faces like Tomas Hertl, there won't be any room for Hemmerling next season. But here's how the former sixth-round pick in the 2022 NHL Draft can set himself up for success with Vegas.
The Vegas Golden Knights love bigger bodies
Some of you have noticed that a player's dimensions get mentioned often in these writings. It's become a motif that highlights what a Golden Knights star can (and cannot) do. For example, Jonathan Marchessault was mainly known as a sniper for Vegas because of his size (5'9"). He sacrifices defensive capabilities for being a solid goal-scorer, which even earned him a Conn Smythe trophy.
Compare that to Nicolas Hague, who has a much bigger body (6'6"). For his size, he's good on offense. But he's not going to light up the score sheet like Marchessault. Instead, he's a mobile defenseman who uses his size for many purposes, including blocking shots and finishing checks. But there's a reason for that, with the Vegas Golden Knights being the heaviest team in the NHL last season (average weight of 207.9 lbs).
Ben Hemmerling stands at 5'11", so he's more toward Marchessault's size. However, he's also light, weighing 176 lbs. He can add more muscle to his frame and become a better contributor to the forecheck. While he's a decent defender who can make sound decisions, adding more bulk will make him a better all-around player.
Ben Hemmerling must improve his skating
While Hemmerling is a fast player on the ice, he doesn't have the best skating. He has above-average acceleration, but can't hit top speeds with ease. Hitting that top speed is paramount to creating separation from defenders, making him a more potent offensive threat.
Plus, his current speed isn't sufficient enough for the NHL's fast pace of play. You can have all the puck-handling skills to fend off defenders. However, life becomes much easier with finding that fifth gear. With that, he can also become a breakaway threat and slip past opponents easily.
Luckily, the 20-year-old can develop this skill with the Henderson Silver Knights. Here, he can learn how to keep pace offensively, learning how to stretch out his stride. His development at the AHL level will be crucial to cracking the Golden Knights lineup, where he can become another future offensive piece.
Learning to dominate the competition
For all the incredible offensive skills Ben Hemmerling possesses, he doesn't dominate the game too much. That's not necessarily bad, for being a sidekick winger has its benefits. However, elevating his game starts with sharpening his axe and controlling the tempo. But how can he do this?
First, he must develop his shot more. His shots go awry and he doesn't make the best decisions with his shot selection. That results in missed opportunities and stopped momentum. If the 20-year-old can improve his accuracy and plan out how he shoots the puck, it'll make him much more threatening.
Expanding his game will also help him become more lethal with the puck. Hemmerling does great with his short-term game, establishing himself from the perimeter and inside. However, he can also attack the middle of the ice, making him a more well-versed forward.
Finally, developing more strength with the puck will help his game. Often, he turns the puck over and leaves defenders open to going on the breakaway. But a stint with the Henderson Silver Knights will help Hemmerling grow into that player. With that added bulk, he can use his body more to deter opponents from stripping the puck away.
feed