Ben Kindel isn’t and won’t be the player that Sidney Crosby is.

But in some ways, Kindel is Crosby’s heir.

He’s incredibly serious for a 19-year-old. (Just turned.)

He sits next to Crosby in the dressing room, absorbing like a sponge.

He’s known for watching video, constantly being on the job.

After he iced the puck and lost the draw that led to host Philadelphia’s playoff series-ending overtime goal this past Wednesday, two days later Kindel faced the media:

“I’m still kind of sick to my stomach thinking about that last shift and how the season ended. Nothing I can do about it now but use it as motivation in the future to do whatever we can to not let it end like that again.”

Kindel is accountable.

Kindel will be the Penguins’ captain someday.

His skills are evident.

Skeptics thought Kindel was a reach at the 11th pick in the first round of last year’s NHL Draft.

But the Penguins had him ranked in the draft’s top four. Kindel making the NHL at 18 stopped being a shock after maybe a month. He belongs.

To some degree, Kindel’s season got skewed.

The young center was supposed to be scratched occasionally to help him cope with the merciless grind of the NHL.

But priorities changed when the Penguins started 8-2-2. All hands on deck. Kindel played 77 games plus six playoff contests.

Kindel is listed at 5-foot-11, 182 pounds. But he appeared about 15 pounds lighter by season’s end. After late-season games, he looked like he’d been through a wringer.

That’s no insult. Kindel leaves it all out there.

Kindel is far from massive but has hockey strength. (Not sure what that is, but everybody says he’s got it.)

His work ethic will make him bigger, stronger and everything else.

Not that Kindel will be a superstar.

His ceiling is probably being a very good No. 2 center.

His point totals will be boosted by his power-play skills, which are considerable.

Kindel should have been on the top man-advantage unit all season and absolutely must be come next campaign. He might have the team’s highest power-play acumen. The power play should run through him. Make Kindel the reset point on the left half-wall. He’s brilliant at organically clearing space.

Kindel plays 200 feet. His vision, passing skills and hockey IQ are exceptional. He battles but is composed. Has a sneaky shot. His skating could improve, but it will.

Kindel had 17 goals and 18 assists. He had the ninth-most points among NHL rookies but was the second-youngest player in the league.

Kindel will get good stats.

But he won’t be a stats guy.

Kindel plays winning hockey and has enough tangibles to make his intangibles count.