Edmonton Oilers: Top 8 prospects worth getting excited about

4. Tyler Benson

Much like Cooper Marody, Tyler Benson had an excellent rookie AHL season and was expected to compete for a spot in the NHL this season. He too, failed to make the team out of camp, and also fell short of his first season’s totals, although not as drastically. After 66 points in 68 games in 2018-19, he had just 36 points in 47 games this season.

One positive about this season was that Benson made his NHL debut in February. He played in a total seven games with the Oilers, posting one assist. The 32nd overall pick will have another good opportunity to make the team out of camp for the 2020-21 season, but it remains to be seen whether or not the 22-year-old will be able to translate his skill to the NHL level on a full-time basis.

3. Raphael Lavoie

Though it remains very early, it looks like the Oilers have a potential big-time draft steal in center Raphael Lavoie. The Chambly, Quebec native was taken in the second round (38 overall) of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. At the time he was drafted, he had just finished his third season in the QMJHL with the Halifax Mooseheads, where he put up an extremely impressive 32 goals and 73 points in 62 games.

The 2019-20 season saw even better totals for McLeod. He played in 30 games for the Mooseheads before being traded to the Chicoutimi Sagueneens, where he played an additional 25 games. Combined, he managed to put up 38 goals and 82 points. He also appeared in the World Juniors for Team Canada, posting two assists in seven games. He will be an exciting player to keep an eye on next season as he gets set to begin his professional career.