Kindel has surprised many by not only making the Penguins out of camp – but also sticking for the full 2025-26 NHL season and being a meaningful piece of the puzzle for a competitive Penguins team. Kindel is averaging just over 15 minutes per game including nearly two minutes on the power play, and he has not disappointed in the opportunity he earned by registering 34 points over 72 games. It looks as though the Penguins found a steal at 11th overall in the 2025 draft as no one had expected Kindel to be this effective so soon. While fantasy managers in re-draft leagues will not benefit from owning Kindel this season outside of very deep leagues – in Keeper and Dynasty formats Kindel is a must own as he has the mental makeup to grow into a larger role in 2026-26 for the Penguins.

Kindel has signed his entry-level contract with the Penguins, meaning, in all likelihood, he will be going back to the Calgary Hitmen next year. After being selected eleventh overall by Pittsburgh, many thought Kindel’s selection was a reach, but there is a real and fair chance that Kindel outperforms his slot. Players with hockey IQ on par with Kindel are few and far between, and it shows as he dissects defenses to make passes only he can see coming. Kindel and the Hitmen will be without Oliver Tulk (the only player with more points than Kindel) next year, and it will put more load on Kindel to perform without another elite WHL talent alongside him. While the size is suspect, there is little reason for Kindel not to improve next year against junior competition before making the jump to professional play in his D+2.

Selected at eleventh overall, Benjamin Kindel is now a member of the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Final Rankings – Kindel’s a player who I liked last year and loved this season. I was probably fair to question a sub-6-foot player without high-end tools, but I’ve come around to seeing Kindel as a potential top-sixer.

Though one of the highest-scoring WHLers, Kindel doesn’t project as a big point-getter, but his innate awareness and understanding of the game help him consistently move play in the right direction. He supports transition through all three zones, extends OZ sequences through wall-play and heady passing, and seems to always get to his spots, right on-time.