The Edmonton Oilers selected Vancouver Giants Captain Tyler Benson with their 2nd rounder 32nd overall. I’m skeptical of this pick because, and I don’t really know if there’s a true correlation here apart from the obvious, but he reminds me of Tyler Pitlick. Difference being he’s smarter but is not on the same level skating-wise and I’m always weary of players who have an injury history in junior. I should probably holster that opinion though as we’ve seen players like Alex Galchenyuk and Ryan Murray come out okay and become very good NHLers.

Some believe that the Oilers might feel as if they’ve gotten another 1st round pick here in Benson. I hope his injury troubles behind him and I can’t wait to see him play! Bob Stauffer described him as a lesser version of Dustin Brown. He could be an interesting player in a couple years for the Oilers.

Stauffer loved the pick!

What do you think about the pick? Let me know in the comments section under the Youtube clip of Benson below.

Position: Center/Left Wing
Shoots: Left
Height/Weight: 6’0 196 lbs
Born: March 15, 1998, Edmonton, AB

“He is a nightmare to defend because he is as physically punishing with the puck as he is without it. There are only a few of his 2016 draft-eligible peers (Auston Matthews in particular) who makes successful on-the-spot corrections once a chance to create offense in a specific area of the ice is no longer an option. Benson is very shifty with tremendous balance, meaning he can continue to move if he gets hit at the same time he decides to change direction. Possessing the kind of vision and IQ he owns makes it no surprise the CHL came close to giving him “exceptional” status to play a full season as a 15 year old (cut short by a knee injury).” – Steve Kounianos, The Draft Analyst