Player Discussion Tyler Benson

[3IR]

You make some valid points. I guess for me there’s a couple reasons I plug him in lower and the first is Yamamoto has atleast had a cup of coffee up here whereas Benson is just getting his feet wet. Playing him McD minutes on the top line seems a bit of a stretch. Second is Yamamoto beat him to the 2nd line already. If he looks good by all means I’d like to try him with McD.

Yeah, I can see the lack of NHL experience being a factor, but I'm firmly in the camp of put your prospect in a position to succeed right off the bat. Worst case scenerio, he doesn't work with Mcdavid and he gets sent down to the third or fourth line his second game and gets a chance to adjust at his own pace. Best case scenerio he clicks immediately and we don't have to watch Mcdavid carry around two bottom 6ers. The second line is hot as hell, but it won't keep up forever, so anchoring Mcdavid is a recipe for disaster imo. We've gone from a one line team, to a one line and 1 player team.

In the work his way up situation, even if he tears it up structurally and defensively (because there's no way he's generating much offense playing on a line like that), Neal could be back the next game and no doubt Tippett goes back to ol' unreliable on the line with Mcdavid and Kass.
Neal being out is the perfect time to give him a shot, even if it's a one game tryout.

I just hate seeing coaches toss these young offensive players into defensive roles first and foremost. These guys have played offense and succeeded their entire lives, so they're probably most comfortable in an offensive role, and you can teach them the rest of the game from where they're most comfortable. I just don't believe that telling a prospect to forget about his offensive game and work on his systems play above all else is a good situation. You end up with a case like RNH where his rookie year he was an offensive monster, only to be forced into focusing on D first covering for Hall and Eberle and his numbers taking a big hit. Obviously with Nuge it was different because he was being asked to play a 200' game to make up for his less defensive linemates, but Benson playing with Mcdavid and Kass is not like he's being asked to stabilize two terrible defensive players, where as playing him with Sheahan and Khaira is basically asking him to carry a defensive specialist and a braindead anchor to some sort of success. Besides, what better way to learn the NHL game than playing with Mcdavid who will likely have 3 guys on him at once, allowing you some room to skate.

 

[Aerchon]

With Neal and Nygard out getting him in the line up is high priority.

I think he replaces Neal on the top line easier than Nygard in the bottom 6.

Archibald has played well either McDavid and I assume that's the plan but if it stagnated I would try Benson or Chiasson.

People forget how good Chiasson was with McDavid and he is starting to play better as well.

 

[Jimmi McJenkins]

Start him with McDavid and move him down if it doesn't work. McDavid has the ability to be the shooter on his line. I understand the hesitation to start him there, but I think he could swim.

You also need to start him there to see if he's a fit like Yamamoto or if you really need to find NHL help in that spot. Not suggesting they wouldn't still need to add a forward, it would just be less pressing.

 

[Jimmi McJenkins]

With Neal and Nygard out getting him in the line up is high priority.

I think he replaces Neal on the top line easier than Nygard in the bottom 6.

Archibald has played well either McDavid and I assume that's the plan but if it stagnated I would try Benson or Chiasson.

People forget how good Chiasson was with McDavid and he is starting to play better as well.

My thing with Archibald is that he doesn't Need to play in the top-6 to be effective for this team, he has further value. I'm not suggesting Benson can't have more value then just the top-6, but you brought him up to be a top-6 forward.

 

[Messrules11]

Yeah, I can see the lack of NHL experience being a factor, but I'm firmly in the camp of put your prospect in a position to succeed right off the bat. Worst case scenerio, he doesn't work with Mcdavid and he gets sent down to the third or fourth line his second game and gets a chance to adjust at his own pace. Best case scenerio he clicks immediately and we don't have to watch Mcdavid carry around two bottom 6ers. The second line is hot as hell, but it won't keep up forever, so anchoring Mcdavid is a recipe for disaster imo. We've gone from a one line team, to a one line and 1 player team.

In the work his way up situation, even if he tears it up structurally and defensively (because there's no way he's generating much offense playing on a line like that), Neal could be back the next game and no doubt Tippett goes back to ol' unreliable on the line with Mcdavid and Kass.
Neal being out is the perfect time to give him a shot, even if it's a one game tryout.

I just hate seeing coaches toss these young offensive players into defensive roles first and foremost. These guys have played offense and succeeded their entire lives, so they're probably most comfortable in an offensive role, and you can teach them the rest of the game from where they're most comfortable. I just don't believe that telling a prospect to forget about his offensive game and work on his systems play above all else is a good situation. You end up with a case like RNH where his rookie year he was an offensive monster, only to be forced into focusing on D first covering for Hall and Eberle and his numbers taking a big hit. Obviously with Nuge it was different because he was being asked to play a 200' game to make up for his less defensive linemates, but Benson playing with Mcdavid and Kass is not like he's being asked to stabilize two terrible defensive players, where as playing him with Sheahan and Khaira is basically asking him to carry a defensive specialist and a braindead anchor to some sort of success. Besides, what better way to learn the NHL game than playing with Mcdavid who will likely have 3 guys on him at once, allowing you some room to skate.

I’m not saying play him with Khaira, Sheahan or Russell. Neal should be back, he has 19 goals, Chaisson had 20 last year, these guys need some playmakers too. Haas, while certainly not offensive doesn’t bleed goals either. Still have Gagner with some offensive flair. This isn’t some strictly defensive bottom 6, offence is always welcome.

 

[3IR]

I’m not saying play him with Khaira, Sheahan or Russell. Neal should be back, he has 19 goals, Chaisson had 20 last year, these guys need some playmakers too. Haas, while certainly not offensive doesn’t bleed goals either. Still have Gagner with some offensive flair. This isn’t some strictly defensive bottom 6, offence is always welcome.

Yeah, I'd be a little more content with him playing on a line with Haas and Gagner or something like that. Some speed from Haas, Gagner has been good lately and at least has some offensive instincts still, and both are pretty responsible all over the ice.

My worry is they're going to strap him to the line they've put him with this practice, so it might be premature, but I've seen enough oldschool coaches decide to try and outsmart the seemingly obvious "play the offensive player with other offensive players" strategy to be worried.

Neal Mcdavid Kass
Nuge Drai Yam
Benson Haas Gagner
Archibald Sheahan Chiasson

would be what I'd run with if the coach is insistent on Neal playing with Mcdavid 5v5. Although I don't want Neal up there for any extended period of time, he really hasn't brought it 5v5 this year, especially considering who he's gotten to play with. At this point Neal is a third line PP specialist imo.

 

[Messrules11]

Yeah, I'd be a little more content with him playing on a line with Haas and Gagner or something like that. Some speed from Haas, Gagner has been good lately and at least has some offensive instincts still, and both are pretty responsible all over the ice.

My worry is they're going to strap him to the line they've put him with this practice, so it might be premature, but I've seen enough oldschool coaches decide to try and outsmart the seemingly obvious "play the offensive player with other offensive players" strategy to be worried.

Neal Mcdavid Kass
Nuge Drai Yam
Benson Haas Gagner
Archibald Sheahan Chiasson

would be what I'd run with if the coach is insistent on Neal playing with Mcdavid 5v5. Although I don't want Neal up there for any extended period of time, he really hasn't brought it 5v5 this year, especially considering who he's gotten to play with. At this point Neal is a third line PP specialist imo.

Neal has certainly fallen off as of late and Archibald shouldn’t be a first liner by any means. I’d be fine with your lineup and like I said hopefully Benson looks good initially and climbs to McD’s line. We could be unstoppable very soon.

 

[3IR]

Neal has certainly fallen off as of late and Archibald shouldn’t be a first liner by any means. I’d be fine with your lineup and like I said hopefully Benson looks good initially and climbs to McD’s line. We could be unstoppable very soon.

I can't even imagine having two lines that look as dangerous as how Mcdrai has looked in the past, or how that second line looks now.

 

[Messrules11]

I can't even imagine having two lines that look as dangerous as how Mcdrai has looked in the past, or how that second line looks now.

Absolutely, if Benson clicks with McD our top 2 lines could be set for years.

 

[SwedishFire]

I understand what you're saying..but don't break up that 2nd line, they are going too well.

That line is more or less a first line, the only reason it isnt, is that they cant have McDavid as a second liner.
But maybe they should...

The only hope is that Benson is all what everyone is telling, and more than that.
Neal hasnt been that missed brother to McDavid, and while Neal isnt a bad player,
he isnt a fit on that line.

So, Kassian or Neal has to go. Neal is a hard player to squeeze in somewhere.
And he cant play in bottom 6. Oilers has one million of the bottom 6 players in the system.
Maybe one shold be traded togehter woth Puljujärvi and a high pick for a real LW:er.

And try Neal with Sheahan and Archibald, and see if something happens.

 

[SwedishFire]

With Neal and Nygard out getting him in the line up is high priority.

People forget how good Chiasson was with McDavid and he is starting to play better as well.

Yes, its easy to forget how good he looked. Chiasson has a terrible skaring mechanic, and just fall back to earth this year, and that means beeing a average 3rd liner who cant finnish...

 

[Jimmi McJenkins]

That line is more or less a first line, the only reason it isnt, is that they cant have McDavid as a second liner.
But maybe they should...

The only hope is that Benson is all what everyone is telling, and more than that.
Neal hasnt been that missed brother to McDavid, and while Neal isnt a bad player,
he isnt a fit on that line.

So, Kassian or Neal has to go. Neal is a hard player to squeeze in somewhere.
And he cant play in bottom 6. Oilers has one million of the bottom 6 players in the system.
Maybe one shold be traded togehter woth Puljujärvi and a high pick for a real LW:er.

And try Neal with Sheahan and Archibald, and see if something happens.

Neal needs to be sheltered more 5 on 5, that's the biggest issue. He can't play as many 5 on 5 minutes as McDavid and Kassian with the same consistency or success.

 

[SwedishFire]

Yeah, I'd be a little more content with him playing on a line with Haas and Gagner or something like that. Some speed from Haas, Gagner has been good lately and at least has some offensive instincts still, and both are pretty responsible all over the ice.

My worry is they're going to strap him to the line they've put him with this practice, so it might be premature, but I've seen enough oldschool coaches decide to try and outsmart the seemingly obvious "play the offensive player with other offensive players" strategy to be worried.

Neal Mcdavid Kass
Nuge Drai Yam
Benson Haas Gagner
Archibald Sheahan Chiasson

would be what I'd run with if the coach is insistent on Neal playing with Mcdavid 5v5. Although I don't want Neal up there for any extended period of time, he really hasn't brought it 5v5 this year, especially considering who he's gotten to play with. At this point Neal is a third line PP specialist imo.

Benson Haas Gagner sure sounds... exotic. Try put Gagner with McDavid, has that been tried?
Gagner McDavid Kassian
Benson Haas Neal

 

[3IR]

Benson Haas Gagner sure sounds... exotic. Try put Gagner with McDavid, has that been tried?
Gagner McDavid Kassian
Benson Haas Neal

I wouldn't be against those lines either temoporarily. Gagner has been good lately, probably better 5v5 than neal, just doesn't have the shot. Plus I just really liked Archibald and Sheahan together, and don't like having two grinders as mcdavids wingers, so anything that reunites those two and gives Mcdavid a bit of skill to work with works for me, at least until benson proves he can handle it.

 

[TheUltimateOiler]

We could put benson as a 3c. Move Haas with McDavid ?

 

[McFlyingV]

We could put benson as a 3c. Move Haas with McDavid ?

Benson hasn't played centre since his pre-WHL days. Rather let him play his far more natural position where there's much less responsibility as he adjusts to much higher level of competition.

 

[Aerchon]

That line is more or less a first line, the only reason it isnt, is that they cant have McDavid as a second liner.
But maybe they should...

The only hope is that Benson is all what everyone is telling, and more than that.
Neal hasnt been that missed brother to McDavid, and while Neal isnt a bad player,
he isnt a fit on that line.

So, Kassian or Neal has to go. Neal is a hard player to squeeze in somewhere.
And he cant play in bottom 6. Oilers has one million of the bottom 6 players in the system.
Maybe one shold be traded togehter woth Puljujärvi and a high pick for a real LW:er.

And try Neal with Sheahan and Archibald, and see if something happens.

Neal needs to be sheltered more 5 on 5, that's the biggest issue. He can't play as many 5 on 5 minutes as McDavid and Kassian with the same consistency or success.

Neal has played much better than I thought he could 5v5. Wheels are slow but his positioning, stickwork, and checking solid.

Because we have Neal for 5 years most likely I want him primarily in a top 6 role. The only problem is that Neal is better on his off wing. So rotate him, Archibald, Chaisson, Benson or anyone really game to game and sometimes shift to shift.

Make sure Neal gets plenty of PP time...

Keep him involved and productive as much as possible.

In short our top 6 is set.

Top 9 wingers: Neal, Kassian, Nuge, Yamamoto, Chaisson, maybe Benson/Archy.

We are really just missing a 3c. Only true hole at this exact moment.

 

[3IR]

Neal has played much better than I thought he could 5v5. Wheels are slow but his positioning, stickwork, and checking solid.

Because we have Neal for 5 years most likely I want him primarily in a top 6 role. The only problem is that Neal is better on his off wing. So rotate him, Archibald, Chaisson, Benson or anyone really game to game and sometimes shift to shift.

Make sure Neal gets plenty of PP time...

Keep him involved and productive as much as possible.

In short our top 6 is set.

Top 9 wingers: Neal, Kassian, Nuge, Yamamoto, Chaisson, maybe Benson/Archy.

We are really just missing a 3c. Only true hole at this exact moment.

Neal is not an acceptable winger in our top 6, especially if his other winger is Kassian. He's got the worst +/- on the team (-21) while playing with Mcdavid (-2) and Kassian (+5), while also having the highest % of offensive zone starts on the entire team.
His PP production is good, so I agree he needs lots of PP time, but he's absolutely a liability 5v5, especially going up against other teams top lines. Neal is a bottom 6 player who should get plenty of PP time in his current state. He has 4 more ES points than the most hated guy around these parts lately in Khaira, with way better linemates, way higher offensive zone starts, more icetime per game, and 5 more games played total.

I like Neal, but he needs to be removed from the top 6 ASAP if we want connors line to be as good as it can be.

 

[Aerchon]

Neal is not an acceptable winger in our top 6, especially if his other winger is Kassian. He's got the worst +/- on the team (-21) while playing with Mcdavid (-2) and Kassian (+5), while also having the highest % of offensive zone starts on the entire team.
His PP production is good, so I agree he needs lots of PP time, but he's absolutely a liability 5v5, especially going up against other teams top lines. Neal is a bottom 6 player who should get plenty of PP time in his current state. He has 4 more ES points than the most hated guy around these parts lately in Khaira, with way better linemates, way higher offensive zone starts, more icetime per game, and 5 more games played total.

I like Neal, but he needs to be removed from the top 6 ASAP if we want connors line to be as good as it can be.

His style of play and more importantly his cap hit makes him a top 6 player no matter the situation.

Bury him in the bottom 6 and I'm sure he'll regress to beyond brutal like when he played with Calgary. You just can't bury him. He is a big part of the team and needs to be utilized optimally.

Conner will do just fine with any linemates. Rotating him on that line mitigates and maximizes the situation. It's big picture thinking.

Creating a super line for Conner and alienating a 6 mill cap hit player who is really only good in a top 6 role... You can't win that way in a cap world.

 

[SwedishFire]

Neal has played much better than I thought he could 5v5. Wheels are slow but his positioning, stickwork, and checking solid.

Because we have Neal for 5 years most likely I want him primarily in a top 6 role. The only problem is that Neal is better on his off wing. So rotate him, Archibald, Chaisson, Benson or anyone really game to game and sometimes shift to shift.

Make sure Neal gets plenty of PP time...

Keep him involved and productive as much as possible.

In short our top 6 is set.

Top 9 wingers: Neal, Kassian, Nuge, Yamamoto, Chaisson, maybe Benson/Archy.

We are really just missing a 3c. Only true hole at this exact moment.

Yeah, right.
There are two problems.
A Neal needs to play in top 6 on his R wing
B Whoever plays with Neal, gets their production down.

So do you want that to be Draisaitl, Nuge or McDavid where the production goes down. just look at McDavids numbers when playing with Neal. Still good, because of being McDavid, but dwarfed.

And I dont agree with you that Nygård isnt top 9.
There are a glaring 3C hole, if Oilers want to be competitive.
BUt there also a LW hole, if they want to be competetive.

Why not dress Neal as a PP player specialist, and hide him on the least playing line.

Gagner/Chiasson/Khaira /Benson when ready McDavid Kassian
Nuge Draisaitl Yamamoto
Nygård/Chiasson when Ng is injured Sheahan Archibald
Benson Haas Neal

Do we ever need a LW. When the team just need a rookie to get to the first line.. is.. not .... good.
I like Benson, but it isnt a strength to have that situation.

 

[Stoneman89]

I like Benson, but he must qualify to be the most talked about player to have never played a game on this team.

 

[BlueCheeseWithWings]

I like Benson, but he must qualify to be the most talked about player to have never played a game on this team.

What about Schremp/Omark? I wasn't around here for either player, but I wouldn't be surprised if it was similar.

 

[Aerchon]

What about Schremp/Omark? I wasn't around here for either player, but I wouldn't be surprised if it was similar.

Benson is only talked about so much because of Yama recent success and he is our only decent forward prospect close to graduation.

Schremp and Omark were both talked about ten times more than Benson. I hope Benson is never spoken of in comparison to either ever again.

Omarkians were especially annoying on this board. Took years to be rid of them.

 

[Ctrain2k]

Benson hasn't played centre since his pre-WHL days. Rather let him play his far more natural position where there's much less responsibility as he adjusts to much higher level of competition.

I don’t think he’s played center since peewee

 

[Panda Bear]

Omark sewered his chances in the NHL with his attitude.

He spent the summer of 2012 scrimmaging with his old team when he really needed to work on his skating and shot.

He's an idiot. Benson isn't.