According to TSN NHL insider Chris Johnston, Kevin Rooney (Calgary Flames), Martin Kaut (Colorado Avalanche), Tyler Benson (Edmonton Oilers) and Ryan Carpenter (New York Rangers) have all been placed on waivers.
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The most intriguing name on this list has to be Benson in Edmonton. The 24 year old former 2nd round pick has seemingly disappointed at nearly every level since being tabbed as a child prodigy when he was just 15 years old. For those not in the know, Benson was a 1st overall pick and played as a 16 year old underager for the Vancouver Giants in the notoriously rough and tough WHL. He was projected to be a 1st overall pick in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft until a kid named Auston Matthews took that ball and ran with it. As Benson's junior career progressed and as he developed from a teenager into a young man he slipped a bit in scouts' eyes, to the point where he slipped out of the 1st round entirely back in 2016.
The Oilers though, they took a chance on the hometown kid in the 2nd round hoping that they had a diamond in the rough but honestly Benson has never been able to find his footing at the NHL level. He's still just 24 years old and there's a chance he could mature into a regular, every day NHLer, but I'm inclined to believe that he'll need a fresh start elsewhere in the league. He has played just two goals for the Oilers this season and just three games at the AHL level. In total he has just one goal and three career points in 38 NHL games. He has put up good numbers in the AHL with the Bakersfield Condors and there's reason to believe that he can produce more at the NHL level, but again I think a fresh start would suit him well.
If you're a bottom feeding team like the Columbus Blue Jackets, Chicago Blackhawks, Ottawa Senators or Anaheim Ducks what do you have to lose by putting a claim in on a once heralded young player?
