ANOTHER BENNING?
By Lowetide
6 years agoLast spring (2016) Peter Chiarelli had a procurement problem. The Oilers 2014 draft had either been signed (Leon Draisaitl) or was in college, with no obvious and signable prospects at that time. Edmonton’s general manager got busy and signed college free agents Drake Caggiula, Nick Ellis and Patrick Russell. He did the same this spring, bringing in Shane Starrett and Joe Gambardella this past spring:
- April 7, 2016: Oilers sign Nick Ellis from Providence.
- May 6, 2016: Oilers sign Drake Caggiula from North Dakota.
- May 9, 2016: Oilers sign Patrick Russell from St. Cloud State.
- March 28, 2017: Oilers sign Joe Gambardella from UMass-Lowell.
- April 10, 2017: Oilers sign Shane Starrett from Air Force.
The big signing last year, although we didn’t know it at the time, came in August:
- August 27, 2016: Oilers sign Matt Benning from Northeastern.
Matt Benning was a revelation, a perfect fit. Tomorrow, we’re going to see a large number of college players become free agents and Edmonton has been pretty damned good at identifying quality in this area. Important not to overstate that last passage, Benning and Caggiula have some way to go before being considered top flight NHLers, but early showing (especially for Benning) has been positive. Is there anyone out there this August?
COLLEGE FREE AGENTS
- Source: Cap Friendly
We haven’t heard any player associated with the Oilers yet and some of these players are going to sign in Europe, sign AHL-only deals and some are going to begin their post-hockey lives in other fields of endeavor. Here are some players worth following in terms of destination.
- LD Will Butcher, Denver. He is probably the top name on the list, undersized defender who is an excellent skater and passer. The Colorado Avalanche are the team that needs him, but they drafted him and couldn’t sign him so this bird has flown. Bob Stauffer always says birth certificate means a lot in these cases, so an American team probably has the best chance. New Jersey, Buffalo and Las Vegas are being mentioned as possibles, probably a long shot for the Oilers.
- LC Alex Kerfoot, Harvard. I like his scouting report (skilled, fast, improving defensively) but Ryan Lambert knows these college men backwards (Lambert loved the Gambardella signing) and he isn’t bullish on Kerfoot. He does serve a need, as the center position in the AHL is not strong.
- LC Dominic Toninato, Minnesota-Duluth. Toronto draft pick and the Maple Leafs have been very good in evaluation these last years. He is described as high skill with average boots, plus he plays with an edge.
- R Grant Besse, Wisconsin. Undersized winger who has a terrific shot, despite having just nine goals in 35 games. He is not mentioned a lot but the Oilers may be looking for this kind of resume.
- LC Blaine Byron, Maine. Byron is very skilled (41 points in 36 games) and should get at least a pro contract, but he did spike as a senior after being average earlier and at a younger age. I can see the Oilers expressing some interest.
We’ll find out in the coming days and it’s certainly possible we don’t see a Matt Benning signed this August. Edmonton is close to the 50-man limit on the team’s pro roster and may want to leave room for a tryout offer or late training camp trade.
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