Looking for some info on players who made their debut last season...
Tyler Benson
Joakim Nygard
Gaetan Haas
William Lagesson
What kind of players are they and what is their NHL projection?
Thanks!
Benson only played a few games in the NHL last year, but he didn't look ready. He's a great playmaker, he's feisty on the boards, and he has a solid shot. The only thing holding him back from becoming a middle-6 winger is his skating. If he can improve that over the offseason, I can see him making the Oilers opening night roster.
Nygard's season was injury riddled, but I don't think we're going to see much more than what he demonstrated in his time here. He's a speedy 4th line winger who can kill penalties, but I don't see him putting up more than 20-25 points a season going forward.
I don't think Haas was given enough opportunity last season. He's fast, he can shoot, and he's responsible in his own end. If everything goes right I think he can potentially develop into a #3C, but it's more likely that he becomes a bottom-6 winger/4th line center.
Lagesson is stuck behind a logjam of LD (Klefbom, Nurse, Russell, Jones), so he hasn't been given much opportunity. That said, I think he's pretty much NHL ready. He's solid in his own end, he's physical, and his offensive game is underrated. Like Benson, the only thing holding him back is his foot speed. If he can improve that, we have a #5/#6 D on our hands, but I don't see much more upside than that.