6. Tyler Benson – Left Wing (32nd overall, 2016)
After consecutive injury-plagued seasons that slowed his development, Tyler Benson finally made some progress in 2017-18. When healthy, Benson has shown glimpses of why he was selected first overall by the Vancouver Giants in the 2013 WHL Bantam Draft.
Unfortunately, he wasn’t healthy nearly enough during his junior career, which is probably why teams stayed away from him in the first round of the 2016 NHL Draft. Last season, Benson led his Giants in assists (42) and finished second on the team in goals (27) and second in points (69) in 58 games. These are solid, though not sparkling numbers for a 19-year-old in the WHL.
Benson got his first taste of pro hockey in Bakersfield late last season, tallying three assists in five games. The 20-year-old Edmonton native will transition over to the AHL full-time this fall on a new-look Condors squad. Benson-Marody-Yamamoto has the potential to form a potent trio on the farm and should be one of new head coach Jay Woodcroft‘s the top two lines.
I think Benson has the offensive tools, hockey sense, and competitiveness to be a top-six forward in the NHL, but he’s still probably two years away from earning a roster spot on his childhood team.