Welcome to the reviews of the previews.
Last offseason, I took a look at 29 players who played for the Oilers in the 2021-22 season. I wrote about their season as a whole, and how I projected them for this past 2022-23 season.
Some of those players were under contract for this year. Some needed new deals and walked in free agency, and others were moved in trades.
Let’s take a look back at a couple of those players today.
Tyler Benson
What I wrote
The future is murky for Benson with the Oilers. He’ll be given a chance to make the big club under a familiar face in Jay Woodcroft, and it’s entirely possible it happens.It was interesting that Benson had been re-assigned to the AHL after Woodcroft came to town, but thinking back on it, it made sense. Benson’s still technically a rookie in the NHL, and Woodcroft had very, very little practice time with the Oilers at any point.The Oilers issued Benson a qualifying offer this offseason signaling a desire to retain him in the organization in some role.Now, it’s up to him to carve out a role in the NHL.
What happened
This was his year to clinch a spot and it didn’t happen. Benson played two games this year for the Oilers: one in late November and another in early December. He scored five goals and 23 points in 43 AHL games this year and with him at 25 years old, I have a hard time seeing him ever playing NHL minutes.
Colton Sceviour
What I wrote
The end of the road appears nigh for Sceviour in the Oilers organization, however, I wouldn’t be against bringing him back at all. He was a good fit with the Condors, and at best, could be a 15th forward on recall when the Oilers need to tap into their AHL roster.
What happened
The Oilers didn’t re-sign him. He scored 19 goals and 38 points in 49 games with SC Bern in the Swiss League.
Josh Archibald
What I wrote
While Archibald’s physicality will be missed, the truth is the Oilers are a better team with him now gone. Archibald signed a one-year, $900,000 deal with the Pittsburgh Penguins this offseason.
What happened
Archibald didn’t re-sign with Edmonton and had six goals and 12 points in 62 games with Pittsburgh this season.
Derick Brassard
What I wrote
Brassard is currently a UFA without a contract, and it’s hard to imagine the Oilers brining him back. That being said, they could do worse than Brassard as a 13th/14th forward who you know can come in and play a strong defensive game.
What happened
Derick, we hardly knew ye. He signed in Ottawa and scored 13 goals and 23 points in 62 games. He played up and down the lineup for the Sens, who dealt with more than a fair share of injuries this year.
Zach Laing is the Nation Network’s news director and senior columnist. He can be followed on Twitter at @zjlaing, or reached by email at zach@thenationnetwork.com.
