Tyler Benson of the Vancouver Giants is healthy and making a big impact early in the WHL season. He’s the big mover among Oilers prospects in an eventful week across the prospect universe.
BAKERSFIELD CONDORS (AHL)
- G Nick Ellis 9gp, 3.02 .905 (two games, stopped 45 of 52)
- G Ed Pasquale 6gp, 3.20 .893 (did not play this week)
- LD Dillon Simpson 14p, 0-6-6 (2gp, 0-1-1 this week)
- RD Ethan Bear 8gp, 2-3-5 (did not play this week)
- LD Caleb Jones 14gp, 0-4-4 (2gp, 0-0-0 this week)
- RD Ryan Mantha 14gp, 0-4-4 (2gp, 0-1-1 this week)
- RD Mark Fayne 3gp, 0-1-1 (did not play this week)
- LD Ben Betker 11gp, 0-0-0 (2gp, 0-0-0 this week)
- LD Ziyat Paigin 7gp, 0-0-0 (did not play this week)
- LD Ryan Stanton 7gp, 0-0-0 (2gp, 0-0-0 this week)
- LD Keegan Lowe 5gp,0-0-0 (1gp, 0-0-0 this week)
- RD Jamie Doornbosch 1gp, 0-0-0 (did not play this week)
- R Ty Rattie 14gp, 7-5-12 (2gp, 1-1-2 this week)
- L Joey Laleggia 14gp, 4-3-7 (2gp, 0-0-0 this week)
- L Ryan Hamilton 14gp, 1-5-6 (2gp, 0-0-0 this week)
- R Jesse Puljujarvi 10gp, 1-4-5 (NHL this week)
- LC Joe Gambardella 13gp, 3-2-5 (2gp, 1-0-1 this week)
- RC Josh Currie 14gp, 3-2-5 (2gp, 1-0-1 this week)
- L Braden Christoffer 11gp, 2-2-4 (1gp, 0-0-0 this week)
- R Patrick Russell 14gp, 2-2-4 (2gp, 0-0-0 this week)
- R Dave Gust 12gp, 3-1-4 (1gp, 0-0-0 this week)
- LC Grayson Downing 9gp, 0-4-4 (2gp, 0-2-2 this week)
- LC Brad Malone 8gp, 2-1-3 (NHL this week)
- RC Chad Butcher 7gp, 1-1-2 (did not play this week)
- RC Kyle Platzer 4gp, 1-1-2 (2gp, 0-0-0 this week)
- R Brian Ferlin 4gp, 1-0-1 (2gp, 1-0-1 this week)
- R Zack O’Brien 2gp, 0-1-1 (2gp, 0-1-1 this week)
- L Evan Polei 2gp, 0-1-1 (did not play this week)
- F Mitch Callahan 14gp, 0-0-0 (2gp, 0-0-0 this week)
- R Greg Chase 1gp, 0-0-0 (did not play this week)
- R Anton Slepyshev 1gp, 0-0-0 (NHL this week)
WICHITA THUNDER (ECHL)
- G Shane Starrett 8gp, 2.23 .932 (two games, stopped 54 of 59)
- RC Kyle Platzer 9gp, 5-9-14 (AHL this week)
- R Zack O’Brien 12gp, 5-7-12 (1gp, 1-0-1 and AHL this week)
- F Lane Bauer 11gp, 5-6-11 (2gp, 2-1-3 this week)
- R Greg Chase 8gp, 5-5-10 (3gp, 1-2-3 this week)
- LC Travis Ewanyk 13gp, 5-2-7 (2gp, 0-0-0 this week)
- RC Chad Butcher 2gp, 0-3-3 (2gp, 0-3-3 this week)
- L Evan Polei 8gp, 0-1-1 (4gp, 0-1-1 this week)
EUROPE
- LC Bogdan Yakimov 33gp, 4-2-6 for Neftekhimik (KHL) (4gp, 0-0-0 this week)
- RHD Filip Berglund 11gp, 1-4-5 for Skelleftea (SHL) (1gp, 0-1-1 this week)
- LD William Lagesson 16gp, 0-2-2 for Djurgardens (SHL) (3gp, 0-0-0 this week)
- LHD Markus Niemelainen 8gp, 0-0-0 for HPK (Sm-Liiga) (2gp, 0-0-0 this week)
CHL
- R Ostap Safin 24gp, 9-17-26 for Saint-John (QMJHL) (2gp, 2-1-3 this week)
- R Kirill Maksimov 19gp, 12-9-21 for Niagara (OHL) (3gp, 4-0-4 this week)
- L Tyler Benson 10gp, 6-9-12 for Vancouver (WHL) (3gp, 2-4-6 this week)
- LD Dmitri Samorukov 22gp, 2-7-9 for Guelph (OHL) (2gp, 0-2-2 this week)
- R Kailer Yamamoto 4gp, 1-4-5 for Spokane (WHL) (4gp,1-4-5 this week)
- G Stuart Skinner 18gp, 3.67 .892 for Lethbridge (WHL) (2 games, stopped 52 of 62)
- G Dylan Wells 20gp, 3.53 .898 for Peterborough (OHL) (3 games, stopped 99 of 109)
COLLEGE AND TIER TWO
- RC Tyler Vesel 10gp, 4-5-9 for Nebraska-Omaha (NCAA) (2gp, 0-0-0 this week)
- L Graham McPhee 14gp, 4-5-9 for Boston College (NCAA) (2gp, 1-0-1 this week)
- RC Aapeli Rasanen 14gp, 2-6-8 for Boston College (NCAA) (2gp, 0-1-1 this week)
- L Aidan Muir 13gp, 2-5-7 for Western Michigan (NCAA) (2gp, 0-1-1 this week)
- RHD Vincent Desharnais 10gp, 0-3-3 for Providence (NCAA) (did not play this week)
- RD Philip Kemp 7gp, 1-2-3 for Yale (NCAA) (1gp, 0-0-0 this week)
- RD John Marino 7gp, 0-3-3 for Harvard (NCAA) (2gp, 0-0-0 this week)
- LD Matt Cairns Cornell (NCAA) has not yet played
- LC Skyler Brind’Amour 27gp, 8-7-15 for Chilliwack (BCHL) (3gp, 1-0-1 this week)
In regards to Benson, how does 6 & 9 = 12?
I know that lost development time is a big deal, especially when its as material as in Benson’s case.
With that said, this kid remains an elite prospect and, now that he’s healthy, he is proving that he remains a substantial piece for the organization going forward. In my mind, the only question about this player’s future is healthy. He is healthy now and I’m looking forward to watching him for a full season with a big role for Team Canada.
Its hearsay but an acquaintance of mine is close with a couple of pro scouts for a few eastern NHL teams, once of which has been scouting at a couple GIants games this past week and, in his opinion, assuming healthy, Benson will be NHL ready next year.
I’m going to assume that he will need some AHL time but the arrows are back pointing directly up for Benson.
Not to be a downer, but he’s played 125 out of 216 regular season games his first 3 seasons and 10 out of 23 this season. That’s 56% of games played.
Players have come back from injuries before but missing 46% of his games has to screw with a player’s development.
It’s not up to me but I’d want him to spend at least a season in the AHL before he saw any NHL time.
You could expect him to be rusty, playing in only 56% of the games over the past 3 seasons. But, he has 15 points in 10 games. In points per game terms, he’s at almost the same rate RNH was in his draft year. He should’ve been a first round pick.
4G in 4 games for Maksimov is great – I’m loving following him a Safin (who leads the Q in shots) – some very good bets in the middle rounds from Chiarelli and his staff. No sure things (there never is past the 1st round) but high ceilings on these two.
Its unfortunate the the goaltending organization wide is struggling right now – From Talbot to Wells to Skinner. Even Starret had a bit of a down week and Ellils was OK.
Also nice to have both Lagesson and Berglund back from injury – I think Berglund missed like 7 games but, from accounts, had an excellent first game back.
I went to both of the Bako vs Stockton games this week (Friday and Saturday). Bummed that Bear wasn’t suited up for either game, I was looking forward to seeing him firsthand. Aside from Rattie, none of these guys looked too engaged. Stockton came out playing hard both games and Bako failed to turn it up. Pretty disappointing performance, particularly the blueliners.
I keep saying this every sunday but that Safin pick looks better every friggin week. Could we expect them on ELCs this spring? Also could Bear get a cup of coffee up here this year?
Why would Bear get a cup of coffee this year?
He’s had a nice first 8 games to his pro career but he’s missed almost as many games with this concussion as he’s played. He should be nowhere near the NHL this year.
Re Yamamoto… avoid getting too excited. He has played 5 games for Spokane. He was 1-3-4 in his 1st game and has 1 assist in the 4 games since then.
He is going to haunt Chia alright. Not in the way we originally thought.
I got a question. After comparing the stats of Will Butcher and Joey Laleggia in their NCAA years, they seem pretty similar with Laleggia actually having a better final year. Same team, same size, and similar point totals. I’m confused as to why Laleggia never got the chance that Butcher did? Maybe Butcher impressed and training camp or something, but from a statistical standpoint after their final years in the University of Denver, they seem very identical yet one is in the NHL and the other isn’t.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ygDl7ImMJavu3sxUmYB3xcegNoyYCPV9ITZbWHUTj-U/edit?usp=sharing
Joey’s 19-year-old season was amazing (32 NHLe) and better than Will’s final season as a 21-year-old (29 NHLe), but that 29 was better than Joey’s 21-year-old season (23 NHLe), but not as good as Joey’s 22-year-old final season (36 NHLe!).
They did have similar trajectories up until this season. I’m not sure where things went south for joey. They even had similar scouting reports:
“Will Butcher is an undersized offensive defenceman with strong mobility, quick feet, a good hockey mind and the ability to lead the rush. As with most offensive defensemen, Butcher has a tendency to play a bit risky and is prone to costly turnovers but he does show an ability to defend well and is coachable in that area.”
Too bad Joey didn’t get better opportunities. I think having Brad Hunt in the AHL eating his development minutes during his 1st AHL season as a 23 yr old was a stupid move.
Another weird coincidence is that they were picked in the exact same spot in their draft years. They really were pretty similar players. I wish Laleggia could turn out like Burns in a way, becoming a better D if he ever transitions back.
Im still holding out hope that Yakimov will see the light and come to North American to earn his shot at the big league. Coming over this season would have been smart with the lack of center depth in Bakersfield.
Also if Bergland plays in bakersfield next season we should have a solid blue line. of course it should be a solid blue line this season, but I guess another year for Bear and Jones will help.
Does anyone have a read on how Jones is developing. Was told he had his big brothers pedigree, hows he looking?
Jones is struggling adjusting to the pro game but that is not unexpected.
Jones is a few years away from the NHL, if ever.
Not sure where you hear that his pedigree is that of his brothers – its not even close which shows in where each were drafted.
I wonder if we see Ty Rattie get a recall soon. Putting up some good numbers in the AHL.
This issue with Rattie is foot-speed – its likely what has (and what will) keep him from being an NHL player.
Our NHL lineup isn’t fast to start with and I’m not sure adding another slow player will be beneficial.
On another note!!
I don’t see any logic as to why Mass did what he did?? Should be fired for it!