Oilers sign Tyler Benson to one-year, two-way contract with $750,000 AAV

This morning, the Edmonton Oilers announced via their social media channels that the team has re-signed Tyler Benson to a one-year, two-way contract that carries a $750,000 AAV.

Since being selected with the 32nd overall pick at the 2016 Entry Draft, Tyler Benson has grinded his way into being a top performer for the Bakersfield Condors but has yet to solidify his place on the NHL roster. Could the 2022-23 season finally be his year? Not only has Benson performed on the scoreboard at the AHL level — he finished top 3 in league scoring in 2021 — but he has also found himself playing in all situations as he continues to work on any angle that will get him to the NHL. After making his Edmonton Oilers debut during the 2019-20 season — he played in only seven games that year, registering one assist — Benson got his best chance with the big club this past year after getting into 29 games and registering his first NHL goal. Ultimately, Benson was returned to the Condors to finish up their year but maybe this first real taste of NHL action was the boost he needed.

If Benson is going to land a job with the Oilers in 2022-23, it goes without saying that he’s going to need a strong training camp and pre-season, and even that could be a stretch. While there’s no doubt in my mind Benson has the hands and processor to play at the highest level, this is about as stacked as the Oilers have been up front since I can remember, and it’s going to take a miraculous effort from the former second rounder to leapfrog someone ahead of him on the depth chart. That’s not to say he can’t do it, just that it’s going to be incredibly difficult. That said, we always get some intriguing storylines at training camp and maybe this is Benny’s year? Either way, having Benson locked up gives the Oilers a proven player at the AHL level that will help the Condors compete while also providing a reasonable dose of depth for the big club in case of injury.

In 29 games played with the Oilers in 2021-22, Benson registered one goal and one assist while averaging 8:33 in TOI to go along with a -5 rating and a 53.4 CF%. Benson has 153 points (38G, 115A) in 174 regular season games in the AHL.