NEWARK, N.J. -- Jamie Benn won the Art Ross Trophy as NHL scoring leader last season with the lowest scoring total since Chicago's Stan Mikita in 1967-68.

But while Benn's 87 points in 82 games were seen as a sign that scoring is dipping in the NHL, Benn is determined to push those numbers higher going forward. Benn edged out the Islanders' John Tavares by one point for the scoring title on the last day of the 2014-15 season, but he had no peers when it came to scoring in the calendar year of 2015. The Stars captain finished with 107 points in 85 games, while Washington's Alex Ovechkin was next closest with 84 points in 76 games.

It's a strong statement about where Benn stands in the NHL.

A fifth-round draft pick who has had to earn his respect while playing for a Sun Belt franchise, Benn is showing that you can score goals through skill and physicality. On Wednesday against Nashville, Benn bowled over Predators defenseman Mattias Ekholm to gain possession of the puck at the offensive blue line, then walked in and slipped a shot past Pekka Rinne, one of the most respected goalies in the league.

Benn, who has won an accuracy shooting competition at the NHL All-Star Game, said he works on his shot all of the time.

"The whole point is to shoot where he's not, so I think it helps when you work at that and it becomes more natural," Benn said. "I do think you have to work at scoring, whether that's being deceptive or shooting where you want to shoot. We all love scoring, so I think we all work at it as much as we can."

Everyone might be working, but Benn is the one with the big numbers. He does play for the highest scoring team in the league, so that does help. But he also now sees scoring as a big part of the job. While Benn isn't a big fan of individual honors or the spotlight, he will do everything he can to help his team win. And right now, scoring is something he can do.

"He is the heart of this team, and he's our leader," Stars coach Lindy Ruff said. "I think the offense is a result of playing the game the right way. He leads us in the right direction, and I think the points have come because he's making good decisions with his teammates."

Why was Benn so dominant for the calendar year? Well, Chicago's Patrick Kane was sidelined by an injury last season. He has bounced back this season and leads the NHL in scoring with 56 points to Benn's 52. Tavares has hit a slump this season. So has Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby. That just goes to show how tough it is to spend a significant amount of time among the scoring leaders.

"It's tough to score in the league for any player, and to score consistently," winger Patrick Sharp said. "If you watch practice, everyone can shoot the puck, everyone can pick corners. It's the top league in the world, and you have the greatest players. So to be the best in this league, it takes a lot of work."

Benn has put that work in, and now he's reaping the results

"I think it's knowing you can do it, and knowing you have to do it," said Benn's brother Jordie. "He works so hard at it, and he has a gift, so you combine those things. Some people just have it, and when you do, it's something special."

The league has always judged players on scoring, so Benn is drawing some debate as the best player in the league. While it's difficult to quantify that title, teammate Jason Spezza put it a different way.

"There's no doubt if I was starting a team," Spezza said, "I would take Jamie Benn first right now."

A cut above

Here are top NHL scorers for the calendar year 2015: