Oilers Recall Benning, Assign Two

The Edmonton Oilers hit the transaction wire again on Friday by assigning two players to Bakersfield and recalling defender Matt Benning. Benning, if you recall, had a very strong camp for the club and actually made the initial roster. After not playing in the first three games, Benning was returned to the AHL on Monday and played in both games for the Condors this week.

#Oilers recall d-man Matthew Benning from @Condors, assign goalie Laurent Brossoit & d-man Ben Betker, place d-man Andrew Ference on LTIR.

— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) October 21, 2016

I touched on the opening two games this morning for the Condors, and in that post I mentioned Benning as a player that stood out. He recorded two points (one goal, one assist) and was arguably the best puck mover on the backend for Bakersfield. He certainly looked ready to handle the professional game.

With both Brandon Davidson and Mark Fayne now on injured reserve for what could be “weeks” according to Todd McLellan, Benning may be on the cusp of making his NHL debut.

Benning impressed the coaching staff during the preseason and looked good enough in two AHL games to be the eighth defender in this organization. With injuries impacting the club now, Benning is going to get a chance to shine. His skill-set is certainly a fit for the modern game and I’m intrigued to see him in action.

Betker, Brossoit To Bakersfield:

Neither of these transactions should come as a surprise. Brossoit was only recalled to sit on the bench, as the schedule allows for Cam Talbot to play just about every game this month. With Jonas Gustavsson apparently ready to backup again, it makes sense to let Brossoit handle the starter’s role in Bakersfield for a stretch.

LB had a very strong training camp and I expect him to post solid-to-great numbers during his AHL stint this season. I say stint because I truly believe that he’ll be an Edmonton Oiler before this season is out. He, in my mind, beat out Gustavsson in training camp. It’s only a matter of time.

Betker, on the other hand, really was never a candidate to see any playing time in Edmonton. He had a strong camp, but in reality all Edmonton needed was a body in the press box just in case on Thursday night. Betker collects an NHL salary for a few days and now goes to continue his development in the AHL.

A lot of people questioned that recall, but it made a lot of sense to let Benning play two games before rejoining the Oilers instead of just sitting around in the press box again. This is a big season for Betker, he needs to emerge as a true NHL prospect and have a good season in Bakersfield.

Ference Likely Done:

Andrew Ference getting shifted to LTIR is likely the final transaction of his NHL career. Ference, who had a great career and won a Stanley Cup, simply can’t physically handle the NHL rigors anymore. He’s a great guy and it’s too bad to see, but this was the only move for Edmonton. Ference won’t be an issue on the cap anymore and his contract will expire on July 1st.

I feel for Ference, it must be incredibly tough to not get to decide when his career ended, but I wish him the best in whatever he does after hockey. I know from his time in Boston just what kind of guy he is, and that’s someone that you absolutely want around your hockey club. Hopefully he enjoys what comes next, he’s earned it.