Matt Benning and Training Camp Invites

In just under a month, NHL clubs will begin a lengthy journey for the Stanley Cup when training camps open up in 30 cities across North America. Pretty much every roster, including Edmonton’s, has their core group settled on for the upcoming campaign, but a few depth roles are going to be up for grabs on numerous rosters.

Edmonton will have a few spots up for grabs in September, likely all bottom of the roster positions. I count Edmonton’s backup goaltending job, seventh defender spot, and both fourth line wings as being open. There’s also at least one, if not two, extra forward spots open on this roster.

Will any player invited to camp push for these spots? I’d like to think that the team invites a capable NHL defender or two, like a Jakub Nakladal or even a Dan Boyle. I’m also holding out hope that a player like Brad Boyes will be invited to training camp, although I remain skeptical of that happening.

No veterans have been invited yet, but it appears a few junior players will be coming to Edmonton this September as training camp invites. H/T to Lowetide for pointing out the following.

Aaron Irving hockey statistics profile https://t.co/fci6SQCkzm attending #oilers rookie camp as per @Bob_Staufferhttps://t.co/oceBzTjU1y

— SuperNova (@SuperNovs1) August 17, 2016

Irving will catch a lot of attention because of his Oil Kings connection, but this is actually the kind of player I like to see invited to rookie camp, and by extension main camp. He’s a right-shot defender and posted solid offensive numbers in the WHL, including 40 points (9-31-40) in 72 games a year ago.

I’m not sure I’d give him a spot on the 50-man list, I haven’t seen Irving play too much, but his skill set fits an organizational need. A one-year AHL contract to develop a little further? It’s something I would highly consider if he shows well in Pentecton and in main camp.

#WHLGiants forward Thomas Foster will attend the Edmonton Oilers training camp .

— NEWS 1130 Sports (@NEWS1130Sports) August 11, 2016

Another h/t to Lowetide here, Foster is an interesting player because he isn’t overly big (6 feet and 185 pounds) yet he appears to be a skilled forward. Edmonton lacks skill in their system but, through college signings like Patrick Russell and Drake Caggiula, made it a priority this off-season.

After posting 20 points (8-12-20) in 28 games a year ago, Foster appears to scratch that itch. He’s a left-shot center and is 20 years old, but I’m not sure how much of a future he is has. His scoring was decent during the last two years, but he doesn’t appear to have impact ability when it comes to scoring. I’m not sure what the Oil have in mind for him past camp.

Benning To Edmonton?:

Jim Benning worked under Peter Chiarelli in Boston, so there is a bit of a connection between the two men and, by extension, their families. Chiarelli drafted Jim’s nephew, Matt, with the 175th overall pick back in 2012. After three years at Northeastern University, Benning is turning pro but was not signed by the Boston Bruins. He’s currently a free agent and Edmonton is interested.

Told interest from multiple teams on unsigned Bruins pick Matthew Benning. Right shot D, smart, competitive. LA, EDM, VAN all make sense

— Bob Stauffer (@Bob_Stauffer) August 20, 2016

Benning fits the Oiler organization because he is a right-shot, something lacking at all levels. He’s decently sized, standing at six feet and 203 pounds, and plays a smart game. I saw him a little bit in the NCAA and he didn’t do any one thing great, but did a lot of things well. He’s got a decent first pass, is hard to play against and plays a very smart style.

In 41 games last season, Benning posted 6-13-19 for the Huskies en route to a surprising Hockey East Championship run. In 2014-15, Benning posted 0-24-24 in 36 games.

I’d be willing to use a 50-man roster spot on this player and sign him to an entry-level contract. In my limited viewings of Benning, which include NCAA work and Bruins’ rookie camp in 2015, Benning has proven to be a steady defender who plays the game smartly and who has the tools to play at the professional level.

Considering Edmonton’s lack of right-shot defenders in the system, I’d be willing to add Benning and take a chance developing him. The same applies to Aaron Irving, who I think may be had on an AHL deal for the coming season.