The Edmonton Oilers are one of the most storied franchises in the National Hockey League (NHL), having won five Stanley Cups since joining the league in 1979. Over the years, the Oilers have been blessed with some of the most talented players the game has ever seen, including Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier, and Connor McDavid. However, there’s another player who’s been making waves in recent years, and his name is Tyler Benson, also known as “Lowetide”. Benson has been playing for the Oilers’ American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Bakersfield Condors, and many believe that he’s the team’s best player outside of the NHL. But is he really? Let’s take a closer look.
The Edmonton Oilers have made several changes to their prospects list throughout the 2022-23 season. Multiple prospects have graduated to the NHL, including Dylan Holloway and Philip Broberg, while Reid Schaefer was traded to the Nashville Predators. Emerging right-handed defenceman Mike Kesselring was also sent to the Arizona Coyotes in a late deal. Currently, the Oilers have Xavier Bourgault, Raphael Lavoie, and Matvey Petrov as the best candidates for a future NHL debut. All three have their unique strengths and weaknesses, but Lavoie seems to be closest to making his NHL debut with his recent performance in the AHL.
The Oilers also have two prospects currently in the KHL, Maxim Berezkin and Nikita Yevseyev. Though projecting these Russian prospects is uncertain, they are currently considered among the Oilers’ top prospects due to their strong numbers in the league. Berezkin is a power forward known for his great hands and passing ability, while Yevseyev is a shutdown-type defender with good speed.
Max Wanner, a defenceman drafted in the seventh round of the 2021 draft, has steadily progressed as a prospect since then. Though his season was clouded by a suspension due to a non-criminal incident, his range of skills and offensive production puts him in the conversation for the best Oilers prospect outside the NHL.
Overall, it is challenging to identify the top prospect in the Oilers’ system due to the organization’s maturity and focus on winning the Stanley Cup. However, it is promising news for fans who have endured years of struggle to reach this point.
Overall, it’s clear that Lowetide is a crucial player for the Oilers organization. While he may not be competing on the NHL stage just yet, his dedication to the sport and his team proves that he’s a force to be reckoned with. Despite the tough call, it’s safe to say that Lowetide’s talent and potential make him a standout player outside the NHL for the Edmonton Oilers. Only time will tell how far his skills will take him in the future.
