Flame for Thought
Fansided

Calgary Flames: NHL Draft Second Round Targets

By Devon Burke

Jun 26, 2015; Sunrise, FL, USA; A general view of the podium on stage before the first round of the 2015 NHL Draft at BB&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 26, 2015; Sunrise, FL, USA; A general view of the podium on stage before the first round of the 2015 NHL Draft at BB&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 7
Next

Tyler Benson:

Embed from Getty Images

Team: Vancouver Giants, WHL

Height: 5 foot 11

Weight: 196 pounds

Position: Left-Wing

Point totals: 9 goals and 19 assists in 30 games

Scouting Report: “A powerful kid who uses both his brains and skill to outplay his opponent. He has some skating issues that will need work, but is hard to contain down low and can really be dangerous deep in the offensive zone. He just owns the boards, protects the puck and wills himself to win most one-on-one battles. His shot is pro caliber, and he needs little space or time to put the puck in the net.” (Future Considerations)

If the name sounds familiar it should, Benson was chosen first overall in the 2013 WHL Bantam draft, and was projected to be a top-five pick for awhile now. But thanks to injuries, Benson was never able to get into a groove this year, and was noticeably affected by his injuries even when he did play, putting up 9 goals and 19 assists in only 30 games this season. He is a shorter player at only 5 foot 11, but he is very thick at almost 200 pounds.

Benson has undeniable skill, and is a gym-rat, possessing one of the stronger lower-bodies in the draft. Scouts have knocked Benson for his skating, but he is quick enough on most-cases, and owns a very good release, as well as elite offensive instincts. Thanks to a strong low-centre of gravity, Benson is very effective on the forecheck, and is difficult to contain below the face-off circles.

Taking a top-end talent who had a bad draft year in the second round is something similar to what Calgary did last season with Oliver Kylington. Calgary has enough depth in their system to take chances on players, and Benson is one of the most polarizing player in this year’s draft. If he pans out, he will be a top-six player who will play a similar style to Joe Pavelski of the San Jose Sharks, but certainly he could just as easily fizzle out and never make it to the show.

The risk seems to be worth it if you ask me, but if Calgary wants Benson, then they will likely have to use the first of their second-round picks to take him, as he likely won’t fall far in the second round, although mock drafts have him going everywhere from the late first round to the third round of the draft.

Next: Cameron Morrison

Home/Calgary Flames News