Noah Philp should be on the Edmonton Oilers’ opening night roster

With rosters being finalized around the NHL all teams will be forced into difficult decisions. The Oilers are no different here, as the bottom of the roster has several players battling for position. Granted, the decisions being mulled over are further down the lineup, but they remain important regardless. With the regular attrition of an NHL season, combined with a condensed Olympic schedule, not to mention the long playoff runs the Oilers have endured, the importance of these decisions is only magnified.

The Oilers will be tasked with assembling a roster that carries an identity, right down to the press box. Let’s take a look at a player who should be a piece of the puzzle for the Oilers, Noah Philp.

Getting to know Noah Philp

A bigger, right-shot centre, Noah Philp has had an extremely unconventional journey to this point. There have been twists and turns, having spent time in USports as a University of Alberta Golden Bear, not to mention retiring for the 2023–24 season before returning last year. Although he played in 15 NHL games last season, Philp would still be a rookie this season.

Already at 27 years old, fans would be missing the picture by passing judgment after looking up his career stats. Philp has a lot of NHL attributes, including his size, speed, position, and handedness. Still, it is his consistent improvement that should stand out most. With his 2023–24 gap year, the fact that Philp maintained a positive trajectory is a testament to his mentality and work ethic.

Posting career-high scoring rates in the AHL last season, Philp has become a key part of both special teams in the AHL. His mettle as a defensive centre will be paramount to his NHL viability, but a role at the net front on the power play offers a shadow of greater upside. These goals in tight are easiest to translate to the NHL, meaning there could be a 15-goal NHL season in his future. His shot seems a bit more dangerous than average, and leveraging his speed could weaponize his shot further.

Of course, it is less likely that an older prospect reaches new heights, but Philp has already been persevering against the odds. Oilers fans should allow for the unlikely trajectory given the successes of Zach Hyman and former Oiler Derek Ryan.

Lineup context

It will not happen all at once, and Philp will have to continue his development, but the Oilers should give Philp the space to try. The Oilers are deep enough that Philp will have good linemates on a fourth line. Philp has the tools and the disposition to embrace a role in the trenches and in defensive situations.

The Oilers are also without a clear option at fourth-line centre, as forwards with positional flexibility seem to be prioritized as top-nine options. For now, Trent Frederic and Adam Henrique are more valuable higher in the lineup. David Tomasek is an older rookie as well, who might also be a priority in more of a scoring role.

Others on the bubble, like Curtis Lazar, offer a much more known quantity. After setting a career high with 25 points in 2023–24, Lazar could not repeat his performance. While his face-off percentage was reasonable, his role declined. His handedness and projected role represent Philp’s most direct competition.

Bottom line

Either way, both players are likely to see games for the Oilers this season. While it is unlikely for most players to get claimed, Philp’s low profile might make him likely to clear waivers. Still, the same might be said for the certainty of Lazar’s game. Philp has the upside and the trajectory, making him a popular choice, though NHL teams are often more conservative. The Oilers are giving a lot of opportunities to rookies already, and Philp seems ready to be a part of that.

If Philp is ready to prove himself in a fourth-line role, there might even be opportunities for him to fight his way up the lineup. Of course, injuries lie ahead, and coach Kris Knoblauch is never afraid to experiment with line combinations. Philp’s responsible and functional AHL game might be able to translate to the NHL, giving the Oilers a very useful option alongside a skilled and unproven young winger. Some chemistry could go a long way for Philp if Knoblauch deems him ready for a full-time role.