MJDDawg Posted August 27, 2016 Share Posted August 27, 2016 Peter Chiarelli finally got his man. The Edmonton Oilers GM signed free agent college defender Matthew Benning to a two-year entry-level contract on Saturday, some four years after he had drafted Benning while managing the Boston Bruins. The 6’0, 203-pound right-shot defender never did come to terms with the Bruins, but has now signed on with his home town team. If that surname seems familiar, it should. Matthew’s dad Brian Benning, also an Edmonton native, played 568 games in the NHL, including 18 with the Oilers back in 1992-93. His uncle Jim, currently the GM of the Vancouver Canucks, played 605 NHL games. The Canucks were rumoured to be one of the teams interested in the younger Benning, as were the Los Angeles Kings. But the Oilers won the day. Matt Benning helps to address to the shallowest part of the Oilers’ depth chart, that of right-shot defencemen. He is just the third non-junior on the current 50-man list, behind Adam Larsson, Mark Fayne, and that’s all folks. (Righty Ethan Bear is under contract but virtually certain to “slide” back to junior in 2016-17.) A few other recent draftees are in the mix for RD, but none are signed as yet and all project to the long term at best. Benning jumps the queue in that he was drafted four years ago (6th round, #175) and has already gone through a year of development in the USHL and three more in the NCAA, where he played for Northeastern University Huskies in the Hockey East conference. There he has established himself as a solid defender, though hardly an offensive driver like his dad and uncle. Over three seasons he posted modest boxcars of 110 GP, 9-47-56, which translates to about 15 points per 82 games at the NHL level. Prospects expert and long-time Bruins-watcher Corey Pronman has been following Benning for some years, posting this report earlier in 2016: The nephew of Vancouver (and former Boston assistant) GM Jim Benning was a key cog in the Northeastern Huskies’ run to the Hockey East championship. He doesn’t have ideal height, but plays a rugged, physical and smart defensive game and is a little underrated in terms of his vision and passing skills. He’s not going to be a big point producer in the pros, but he plays bigger than his modest 6-foot frame and looks like a future third-pairing guy and special teamer. Currently unsigned, though reports at the end of the season had the Bruins expressing interest in bringing him out of the NCAA on an ELC. This is the fourth free agent signing of an NCAA player by the Oilers this off-season, though the first involving a defenceman. Previously, highly-regarded forward Drake Caggiula had signed along with right winger Patrick Russell and netminder Nick Ellis. All four are in age 22-23 and well-positioned to make an impact on the pro ranks in the near future, even as their NHL potential is an open book. But collectively they add some meat on the bones of a franchise whose organizational depth has been questionable. While the signing of any college free agent is the equivalent of getting a free draft pick, it must be especially sweet for Chiarelli to nab one from Boston’s list. The Bruins will be getting Oilers’ second-rounder next year due to the NHL’s short-lived (and thoroughly botched) “coach and executive compensation” policy, so turnabout seems fair play in the current instance. By my count Benning’s is the 48th contract on the 50-man list, though the expected slides of Bear and Caleb Jones reduces the effective number to 46. A very workable number, given Chiarelli would surely like to keep a couple of slots open for future flexibility. Here’s the current 50-man list. Players with blue backgrounds were acquired during the Peter Chiarelli era, with this summer’s NCAA free agents underlined in blue. For now we have guessed Benning signed for the same $925,000 that the others did, a figure which represents the rookie maximum at the NHL level, even as there is undoubtedly an AHL component which is much lower, presumably the high five figures. http://edmontonjournal.com/sports/hockey/nhl/cult-of-hockey/cult-of-hockey-edmonton-oilers-sign-free-agent-college-defender-matthew-benning Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VanGnome Posted August 27, 2016 Share Posted August 27, 2016 Seems to be a common theme this off season. Canucks interested in X player, player shortly after signs with a club rival. The only instance where this wasn't the case, was Eriksson, as we likely paid more in dollars and term over what everyone else was willing to pay. Personally, we have tons of depth right now, and we need to ensure that we don't saturate our ranks with too much in order to let those already here have a chance to shine. So long as we add depth each year, we'll be good for the future. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaudette Celly Posted August 27, 2016 Share Posted August 27, 2016 7 minutes ago, shadowgoon said: Seems to be a common theme this off season. Canucks interested in X player, player shortly after signs with a club rival. The only instance where this wasn't the case, was Eriksson, as we likely paid more in dollars and term over what everyone else was willing to pay. Stecher? Garteig? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VanGnome Posted August 27, 2016 Share Posted August 27, 2016 10 minutes ago, Hutton Wink said: Stecher? Garteig? Reading comprehension? Common Theme does not mean "every time". Canucks were linked in rumours to several players this off season, Lucic, Eriksson, Stecher, (Garteig wasn't really a rumoured signing, it came a bit out of left field), Benning, Hudler, Pirri, Caggiula That's 5 out of 7 rumoured players the Canucks had, or were rumored to have interest in that ended up signing with other teams. To me that qualifies as "common". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeltaSwede Posted August 27, 2016 Share Posted August 27, 2016 Is it odd if I take this as somewhat of a relief? The onslaught we would get for signing JB's nephew.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nucker 67 Posted August 27, 2016 Share Posted August 27, 2016 Could be an awkward Christmas dinner in the Benning household this year. It's not surprising that players want to jump on the McDavid wagon. I disliked EDM when they had Gretzky, and dislike them now that they have McDavid. EDM has been a very very lucky franchise with practically being gifted Gretzky and receiving all of those high picks over the last decade. Over the last 10 years the Oilers have received 9 Top-10 picks. Four of those picks were #1s. I'm just hoping there's a team out there that can stop them in 5 years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quantum Posted August 27, 2016 Share Posted August 27, 2016 Signing with Edmonton was a smart call on Matthew Benning's call. Not only does he vault pretty high on the depth chart but he signs with his hometown team. He likely gets NHL games with Edmonton, whereas he'd be in a dogfight with Stecher, Subban, and Biega to even get a taste of NHL action this season with Vancouver. Matthew also avoids the nepotism of having been signed by his Uncle by not signing with Vancouver. If anything, this article shows how organizationally weak the Oilers are and still how far ahead the Canucks are as an organization with workable depth. Sure, we don't have the elite talent that Edmonton does but we also don't have to put so many hopes and prayers into a former 6th round NCAA player coming in with hopes that he can help shore up the bottom pair of their d corps by seasons end either. (Though it's not explicitly stated, I feel like there is an implication). The only College UFA I'm disappointed we didn't get this off season is Drake Caggiula because I think he would have been a great fit on this team. Vesey was always a pipedream. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil_314 Posted August 28, 2016 Share Posted August 28, 2016 GM Benning out-GM'd again. Thought it would've been a gimme. Really though, not much of a loss, roster-wise. We're pretty solid on the right side now (Tanev, Gudbranson, Larsen, Biega, Stecher, Subban) and while a free asset would've been nice the impact should be negligible. Then again, if he scores against Vancouver I could see Uncle Jim's reaction already: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustABandwagoner Posted August 28, 2016 Share Posted August 28, 2016 Seems like alot of the prospects want to sign with EDM cuz of Connor Mcdavid prob Wish we had our own version of Mcdavid sighh :/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nux4lyfe Posted August 28, 2016 Share Posted August 28, 2016 Justin Shultz 2.0, We'll get the last laugh Vancity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
numb3r 16 Posted August 28, 2016 Share Posted August 28, 2016 1 minute ago, DontMessMe said: Seems like alot of the prospects want to sign with EDM cuz of Connor Mcdavid prob Wish we had our own version of Mcdavid sighh :/ We used to have Dale Weise Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SedinMadness Posted August 28, 2016 Share Posted August 28, 2016 lol benning couldn't even land his own nephew... fire his ass! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SedinMadness Posted August 28, 2016 Share Posted August 28, 2016 1 minute ago, SedinMadness said: lol benning couldn't even land his own nephew... fire his ass! i am really at at a loss on this one.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SabreFan1 Posted August 28, 2016 Share Posted August 28, 2016 2 minutes ago, SedinMadness said: lol benning couldn't even land his own nephew... fire his ass! 1 minute ago, SedinMadness said: i am really at at a loss on this one.... Oh good grief... His own nephew. That's a bit embarrassing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghostsof1915 Posted August 28, 2016 Share Posted August 28, 2016 Maybe the scouts want to give our own players a chance to make the team or play in Utica. Besides once we get closer to the Supplemental Draft I don't think there will be an issue landing a player or two. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad Marchand Posted August 28, 2016 Share Posted August 28, 2016 Sign him: JB, you nepotistic idiot. Don't sign him: JB, why can't you sign your own nephew, you idiot. The right thing to do was clear: JB obviously should have planted some drugs on Matt to get him arrested and prevent any team from signing him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaudette Celly Posted August 28, 2016 Share Posted August 28, 2016 56 minutes ago, shadowgoon said: Reading comprehension? Common Theme does not mean "every time". Canucks were linked in rumours to several players this off season, Lucic, Eriksson, Stecher, (Garteig wasn't really a rumoured signing, it came a bit out of left field), Benning, Hudler, Pirri, Caggiula That's 5 out of 7 rumoured players the Canucks had, or were rumored to have interest in that ended up signing with other teams. To me that qualifies as "common". GMs inquire and talk to many FAs and agents, it's simple due diligence. Canucks could have talked to dozens of players and agents, as does any team. Not to mention we don't know the relative levels of interest. This isn't Pokemon -- no team is going to get every player they have any interest in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smithers joe Posted August 28, 2016 Share Posted August 28, 2016 next year there will be teams wanting to move players, so they won't lose them for nothing. JB knows his stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SabreFan1 Posted August 28, 2016 Share Posted August 28, 2016 2 minutes ago, Brad Marchand said: Sign him: JB, you nepotistic idiot. Don't sign him: JB, why can't you sign your own nephew, you idiot. The right thing to do was clear: JB obviously should have planted some drugs on Matt to get him arrested and prevent any team from signing him. He was interested and missed out on the opportunity to sign a relative. If he had no interest, I would agree with you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BCNeil Posted August 28, 2016 Share Posted August 28, 2016 When it comes to players of Matt Benning's situation....it's pretty much his call where he wants to go. Money will be pretty much the same anywhere he goes. Player's in his situation will try to go where they have the best path to full-time NHL play. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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