Confirmed with Link: Oilers Sign Matt Benning (2 Years ELC)

[Musashi]

Good thing we have the type of defense now that doesn't force young players like Benning into top minutes like we've had the past 5 years. It's been fun to watch his early development so far and I hope he keeps the momentum rolling.

Also cool to see another emerging St. Albert boy in the NHL. We've been on a role the past few years with Stanton, Parayko and now Benning.

 

[Aceboogie]

Yeah what a find. Who saw him making the NHL, much less succeeding as much as he has.

Its probably taboo to discuss Benning stats compared to Werenskis right now (Werenski has been mentioned by the likes of Yahoos puck daddy as been one of best D in the NHL this year). But a comparison for fun sakes is pretty interesting

Context stats:

Quality of competition

Benning: 29.30
Werenski: 29.34

Defensive zone starts
Benning: 25.73%
Werenski: 27%
(defensive zone faceoff % is nearly equal)

TOI/game

Benning: 15 mins
Weresnki: 16 mins

So you can see that they play similar minutes- Benning has a slight advantage in quality of teammate (not shown above) and slightly easier quality of comp. But nothing drastic. Both play similar amount 5 x 5

Shot metrics

CF%
Benning: 55.3%
Weresnki: 52.3%

Scoring chances for%:

Benning: 57.64% (!!!)
Werenski: 49.72%

Shots for % is the same at 54%

Relative stats are in favour of Benning almost across the board. Pretty amazing as the rest of Edmonton players are above 50% possession or right around it. So not comparing him to bums or anything

Both have 7 points at even strength (both 2 goals, 5 assists)

Honestly to make this a fair compare to Werenski and not nitpick stats in favour of Benning I tried to find stats in his favour, but there wasnt many. He had advantage in some areas like chances for, or shots for, but Benning had bigger advantage in preventing chances against, or shots against- so his CF% or SF% was better. Werenski did have a low PDO and Benning was around 102 so might dip in future. He also does have slight advantage in individual shots/60, but Benning is not slouch in this area

It appears at 5x5 Benning has the advantage over Werenski, and truth be told his 5x5 numbers are pretty outstanding. Werenski does wipe the floor with him on PP tho and one of best PP D in the league as a rookie.

tl;dr Benning has some outstanding underlying numbers

 

[Dorian2]

Thanks for that AceBoogie. He's looked good for his role so far. May be a real good one in a couple of years. It's nice that the Oilers can play these guys in more appropriate roles now. The previous era of Management would've blown it. We probably wouldn't be having this discussion now.

 

[doulos]

Interesting stats, thanks! Would be interesting to see what Benning could do on the PP more.

 

[Aceboogie]

Thanks for that AceBoogie. He's looked good for his role so far. May be a real good one in a couple of years. It's nice that the Oilers can play these guys in more appropriate roles now. The previous era of Management would've blown it. We probably wouldn't be having this discussion now.

Yup wed probably we griping over him and how he shouldnt be playing top pairing minutes. Instead its how he should be playing higher in the lineup

If he keeps playing as well and keeps improving, we may have found our 2nd pairing RD for the future (as soon as next year). All wed have to find is a PP QB and might be able to get one in the form of a pure PP specialist. Maybe Ethan Bear can turn into that. But if not those guys come cheaper than a 2nd pairing D who's ALSO a PP QB

 

[Aceboogie]

Interesting stats, thanks! Would be interesting to see what Benning could do on the PP more.

I do too. He can get shots thru on net pretty well (least blocked shots on our D core).

Really, really small sample size but in 19 mins of PP he has 2 assists. I say give him more of a shot in the future

 

[nexttothemoon]

2nd best Oilers D this season behind only Sekera.

Hopefully he continues to be excellent on the Oilers D for many years to come.

 

[snipes]

Interesting stats, thanks! Would be interesting to see what Benning could do on the PP more.

Seconded, good work Ace.

Add in that Benning isn't afraid to play physical and he's a right shot makes it even better. Great pick up by Chia.

Caggiula, Benning, and Ellis all look like they were solid pick ups. Ellis is putting up a very respectable 0.923 save % for Bakersfield.

 

[CantHaveTkachev]

tl;dr Benning has some outstanding underlying numbers

those are great numbers but Werenski is still 3 year younger than Benning so his ceiling is higher IMO

still great numbers though

 

[Zaddy]

Definitely didn't think he'd be in the NHL already this year. Felt like a guy you put in the AHL for a year or two and then maybe he can be a regular. Really nice to see him do well. Signing guys out of college (for free!) who can contribute immediately is really sweet and it has completely changed the depth of this organization. Caggiula, Ellis and Benning have all been good signings and hopefully this continues in coming years. Pretty obvious that Edmonton is a much hotter destination now than it used to be.

 

[Aceboogie]

those are great numbers but Werenski is still 3 year younger than Benning so his ceiling is higher IMO

still great numbers though

100%. Didnt mean to infer they were equal, upside and all. Just that Werenski was getting a ton of hype and Benning got little to none but play is pretty similar at evens

I think Benning can be our Chris Tanev

 

[Dazed and Confused]

His offence is starting show. He's looked really good with Sekera the past couple games.

Again it's nice to have 7 guys that you can in really any situation.

Klefbom-Larsson
Sekera-Benning
Davidson-Russell/Nurse


Question is who do you pull out if you add another body, especially if you get that legendary RH PPQB? I know people won't like this idea, but losing Davidson in the expansion draft would really solve the log jam.

Klefbom-Larsson
Sekera-_______
Nurse-Benning

PB: Reinhart, Oesterle/Russell

I'd like that for next year.

 

[Spawn]

His offence is starting show. He's looked really good with Sekera the past couple games.

Again it's nice to have 7 guys that you can in really any situation.

Klefbom-Larsson
Sekera-Benning
Davidson-Russell/Nurse


Question is who do you pull out if you add another body, especially if you get that legendary RH PPQB? I know people won't like this idea, but losing Davidson in the expansion draft would really solve the log jam.

Klefbom-Larsson
Sekera-_______
Nurse-Benning

PB: Reinhart, Oesterle/Russell

I'd like that for next year.

Russel is leading the back end in ES TOI/game and PK TOI/game.

He's not going to end up the #7 d-man.

 

[belair]

According to Gregor he's lining up next to Klefbom for the NJ game.

Davidson - Larsson
Klefbom - Benning
Sekera - Russell

 

[bobbythebrain]

I've been very pleased with Benning. Love the physical game, and now he's chipping in offensively.

 

[Jepprey]

Been the biggest surprise so far. He's been impressive lately.

 

[oobga]

Our right side would be so much worse if he didn't emerge like he has. Gryba would be in damn near every night.

 

[syz]

Reminds me of Davidson last year who also had a rough start.

 

[snipes]

According to Gregor he's lining up next to Klefbom for the NJ game.

Davidson - Larsson
Klefbom - Benning
Sekera - Russell

Interesting, seems odd to put Davidson on the 1st pairing after being out for 10 days.

Why separate Sekera and Benning? They've been the best pairing we've seen all year IMO. Their styles mesh well together.

 

[oobga]

Interesting, seems odd to put Davidson on the 1st pairing after being out for 10 days.

Why separate Sekera and Benning? They've been the best pairing we've seen all year IMO. Their styles mesh well together.

Looks like 3 2nd pairings to me. Maybe McLellan is gonna wait and see which one isn't screwing up and run with them more.

 

[snipes]

Looks like 3 2nd pairings to me. Maybe McLellan is gonna wait and see which one isn't screwing up and run with them more.

Just seems odd to separate Sekera-Benning when they have chemistry.

D men work best playing together and developing bonds over years. We could have a Sekera-Benning pairing fill out anywhere in the line-up.

They could be our 1st pairing right now, right through to our 3rd pairing a couple years from now.

Klefbom-Larsson
Nurse-Russell (love this idea, our two best skaters on D, and Russell has a big mean nasty D partner)
Sekera-Benning

**This assumes Davidson is picked up by Vegas

or

Klefbom-Larsson
Sekera-Benning
Nurse-Davidson

**This assumes we don't resign Russell

Flip the orders and play around, doesn't matter. I like those two together. We also have Jones, Bear, Paigin, and Niemalainen waiting in the wings in the next 2-5 years.

 

[Jumptheshark]

He has shocked me with his play

 

[McTrashBoat]

He's been great, I'm surprised this fight wasn't posted earlier

 

[joestevens29]

I mean it was good, the funny thing is that a month ago I asked Kassian, I said ‘Hey do you mind showing me a thing or two about fighting, just in case I need to protect myself?’ And he said ‘Oh no, you’re fine, you won’t get into a fight.’ So it happens, but it was OK.

Lol

http://oilersnation.com/2017/1/23/who-are-you-with-matt-benning

 

[SupremeTeam16]

I mean it was good, the funny thing is that a month ago I asked Kassian, I said ‘Hey do you mind showing me a thing or two about fighting, just in case I need to protect myself?’ And he said ‘Oh no, you’re fine, you won’t get into a fight.’ So it happens, but it was OK.

Lol

http://oilersnation.com/2017/1/23/who-are-you-with-matt-benning

Great read, seems like a good kid with his head on straight hopefully he can continue to play at the level he has. Him and Sekera seem to work well together.

imagine if Chia can go out and get Green or another offensive dman in the summer.

Klefbom - Larsson
Sekera - Benning
Nurse - Green

Nurse plays a real strong game in his own zone that could allow Green to pile the offence up and at the same time I'm sure Green could really help Nurse's offensive game flourish.