Today the Edmonton Oilers announced that winger Tyler Benson was sent back down to the Bakersfield Condors. Benson played just two games for Edmonton, registering a single shot, a hit, a giveaway and was on the ice for one goal against. He played just under 10 minutes in his first game against San Jose and under 6 minutes in last nights game against Nashville.

Benson being sent down likely means that James Neal is ready to return to the lineup but there is a small chance this is also signalling that the Oilers are about to make a trade and add another player to the roster. Either way Benson once again finds himself in the minors, waiting for another chance to return to the big club.

While some online are already yelling about Benson not getting a fair shot, or that he needed to play with McDavid to be successful or other bold statements like that, I am taking a bit of a more measured approach.

Tyler Benson is a 21 year old who just played in his first NHL games. In both games Benson looked jittery and overwhelmed when he was on the ice and no one should be surprised or fault him for that. Very few players can come into the league and immediately be impact players. It's easy to forget that Kailer Yamamoto played 26 games for Edmonton before coming in this season. Many fans were already prepared to write Yamamoto off as a bust in that time. Just because Benson didn't look brilliant in a mere two games doesn't mean he won't be an future top 6 player.

As for the where he was placed in the lineup, I'll admit I am part of the group that would have liked to see him get a look with some higher end skill, whether that be with McDavid, Draisaitl, RNH or somewhere in that mix. Having said that, it is hard to dispute Tippett's stance here.

There is a massive difference between calling up a prospect in November versus in February. Edmonton is currently battling most of the Western Conference for a playoff spot right now. Early in the season or late (if you are a guaranteed to miss the playoffs) is the best time to give a young player a chance to see if he meshes in the lineup. At those times, dealing with the growing pains of development are easier to manage.

Put another way; the Edmonton Oilers have higher priorities right now than Tyler Benson.

Benson leads the Condors in points and deserved a call-up. Tippett gave him a chance to get his feet wet, see how quick the NHL game plays and then sent him back down with things to work on as he tries to help the Condors into a playoff position.

Even if Benson was called up to the Oilers, played 2 games on a line with McDavid and went 2-3-5 in his first two games, I still don't think that changes how Holland should address the trade deadline.

Edmonton needs a skilled and proven top 6 winger to play alongside Connor McDavid as well as a third line centre capable of producing more points.

How Edmonton handles Benson from here on out will be worth inspecting carefully. If the team recalls him again, only to have him sit half the games, play the other half on the fourth line, and then send him back down for two games... only to repeat, fans should reasonably be miffed.

For now, Benson can return to the AHL knowing he still has tons of work to do and the Oilers team can continue to focus on winning games and trying to achieve the highest playoff position they can.

Thanks for reading.

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