 RDOilerfan
Messages: 3736
Registered: January 2016
3 Cups
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| welcometotheOC wrote on Mon, 08 August 2022 16:21 |
| RDOilerfan wrote on Mon, 08 August 2022 14:41 |
| Rocksteady wrote on Mon, 08 August 2022 14:23 |
| RDOilerfan wrote on Mon, 08 August 2022 08:24 |
I'm glad it's a 2 way as I don't see him as an NHLer on the Oilers. This isn't meant as a shot but I see Benson on the Oilers as the type of guys they had a few years ago when they didn't have enough depth. I was actually surprise he's back as I expected him to sign somewhere else, a team like Arizona is a good example as they want to be bad to get high picks but need live bodies to fill out a roster. I've said it before, in the NHL unless your skill level is elite elite, you need to be able to skate. I don't think he has the boots to play a regular spot.
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I do. You're right "his boots", that is the knock against Benson - his skating/hustle. He can pass he can stick handle he can do a lot of good things. To be fair though, in the games he played last season he was a better skater and he changes his game a little bit to become a grinder.
Maybe it's me holding out a candle for him, I think there is a player there, a NHL level player. If he can just get back some foot speed.
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I do think there are fans who maybe like the story of Benson from Edmonton being an Oiler that they overlook some things in his game. The game is getting faster so I think unless your skills are elite, it will be difficult for Benson to make an impact on the Oilers. I look at the Oilers as a team that is in win now mode so every position is important. I have no issue with Benson being on the team if he legit wins a job and is better than other guys but I am of the opinion that the time to try guys out are over for the Oilers. Other teams have the chance to get him for free last year, I think he passed through waivers twice so I don't think being worried about losing him on waivers is a factor. If he outright wins a job, great if he doesn't, go to Bakersfield and help Bourgault develop.
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I also think there are fans who forget just how talented and smart this kid is and that he had a great deal of misfortune with a serious core injury and worked his a$$ off to get to the NHL anyway. ie. you
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That injury happened in junior I believe, I can't remember the year but he only played 33 games in 16/17 and 30 games in 15/16 so it was one of those years. So we are taking 6-7 yrs ago. How is that relevant?
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