Oilers Taking Risk, Put Surprising Forward on Waivers

Philp is still a bit of a project for the Oilers, but in limited action, he’s looked fairly solid. He’s arguably not done anything to deserve going down to the AHL, perhaps offering more on the team than Tomasek did, or struggling forwards like Andrew Mangiapane and Trent Frederic currently are. So too, Philp is a big, right-shot centre, something not readily available in the NHL.

Philp played 15 games for the Oilers this season, recording two goals and one assist while averaging 10 minutes per game. Sidelined since Nov. 17 with an upper-body injury and placed on LTIR, he could join Bakersfield if he clears waivers.

Perhaps this is a situation where Oilers fans who are concerned about his being claimed might be overvaluing the player versus how other teams might see him. Philp’s 15-game stint produced modest results, including a -7 rating and poor possession metrics at five-on-five. He excelled in faceoffs at 56.9%, and a team might see him as a player with a higher ceiling in a bigger role.

The Oilers have already lost a player to waivers in a somewhat similar situation. The Toronto Maple Leafs claimed Troy Stecher and he has become an essential part of their blue line this season.

It’s something that could happen with Philp, making him a potential waiver target due to his low-cost, expiring deal.