The time has finally come for Edmonton Oilers to “test drive” promising pivot

Interesting news from Edmonton Oilers camp on Tuesday afternoon, that the club has recalled centre Noah Philp from Bakersfield Condors.

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In recent weeks it has become increasingly apparent that Derek Ryan‘s role within the club is diminishing. Recently turned 38, the 10-year NHLer and 4-year Oiler has seen his average ice time drop into single digits for the first time in his career, including 10 of his last 13 appearances. Moreover, those appearances themselves have become increasingly rare; after playing in 29 of Edmonton’s first 31 games, Ryan has played in just 4 of the last 12. On Monday night, the Oilers didn’t even dress a 4C, choosing instead to go with 7 defencemen and just 11 forwards against the Los Angeles Kings.

After three years of being a regular on the penalty kill (1:31 per game in 225 GP), Ryan has lost his role on that unit to Adam Henrique. He’s averaged just 21 seconds per game on that unit, just 8 seconds since Dec 01.Ryan remains an ace in the faceoff circle, where he sports a 56% career rate that has edged up over 60% in 2024-25. That capability has even more value given his was the only right-handed stick among the Oilers’ top six faceoff men.

Enter Noah Philp, himself a right shot centre, albeit a much bigger one at 6’3, 198 lbs. Like Ryan and coach Kris Knoblauch for that matter, he is a graduate of the University of Alberta Golden Bears. He’s a prospect so mature he technically doesn’t qualify as an NHL rookie or for Calder Trophy consideration, having turned 26 a couple weeks before the Sep 15 threshold.

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For all of his advanced years for an entry level player, Philp (not: “Philip”) is a little light on experience due to various circumstances, having played under 150 games over the past 5½ seasons. As a member of the Golden Bears, he missed the 2020-21 season altogether due to COVID, then played just 8 games the following season before joining Bakersfield at season’s end. He had a splendid first professional season the following year, but then missed 2023-24 for personal reasons, officially classified as a retirement.

The Oilers nonetheless extended a qualifying offer to retain his rights, which he finally signed this past Jul 01 to resume his promising career. He was subsequently rated the #5 hopeful in the Cult of Hockey‘s annual prospect rankings, profiled in this post by series contributor Ira Cooper.

Philp impressed in training camp, playing in 6 preseason games with a goal, an assist, some fine work on the faceoff dot and a regular turn on the penalty kill. He was among the final cuts on Oct 07, but not without a rave review from GM Stan Bowman.

In Bakersfield Philp has been given a prominent role in all situations, responding with 9-8-17, +2 with 65 shots in 28 games. He also got a brief taste of the NHL when Connor McDavid was hurt, playing 3 games from Oct 31-Nov 04. He made a memorable debut in Nashville, scoring an assist in the first period and dominating on the dot, receiving the following commentary in the Cult of Hockey‘s player grades:

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• Noah Philp, 8.  Great way to start an NHL career, a bonus grade for that. Got it done. Some good patience and puck protection in his first NHL game. He kicked off one of Edmonton’s best o-zone cycles of the year with a face-off win, then made a slick pass into the slot for Drake Caggiula’s harpoon, which Perry cashed in. He won ten out of 14 face-offs. GAS: ES +4/-0; ST 0/0

The subsequent two games against Calgary and New Jersey saw diminishing returns:

• #48 Noah Philp, 5. Made a fine play along the end wall to control the puck and cycle it back to Nurse for a shot that was tipped dangerously by Caggiula. Had a fine chance of his own when teed up by Perry for a one-timer. Was a bit unlucky when his attempt to cut out a dangerous pass actually deflected to the Calgary shooter for a breakaway chance, but Skinner had the answer. Poor shot shares and a dismal 1/9=11% on the faceoff dot. Played just 8:46. GAS: ES +2/-1; ST 0.
• Noah Philp, 4. Super quiet. GAS: ES +0/-0; ST 0/0

McDavid returned the next game, and both recalled players Philp and Caggiula were sent back out to allow the club to resume cap space accrual.

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Now he’s back. As Oilers insider Bob Stauffer put it, “Don’t be surprised to see the Oilers ‘test drive’ Philp for a stretch of games if he performs well. Has played 2nd line center, 2nd unit PP and seen significant PK time with the Condors.”

Key words: “test drive”. The theory being that the Oilers might wish to upgrade their 4C spot before the playoffs. With the trade deadline looming on Mar 07, they have 19 games and counting down to consider their internal options.

Cult of Hockey writer Kurt Leavins put it this way on Blue Sky: “The Philp recall is most practical. For Stan Bowman to know what he needs to spend on at the deadline. Seeing Philp in a 4C role for a meaningful number of NHL games is critical.”

If he works out, that is one less trade that might be needed, allowing assets and cap space to be focused on other needs. If he doesn’t, that clarifies the picture in a different way. But now is the time to see exactly what they have in Noah Philp. Expect to see him draw into the recent vacancy at 4C on Wednesday night on Minnesota.

No word yet on whether Bowman has other moves in mind to make room. One option is to return Josh Brown to Bako and to go back to just 6 defencemen, though with 3 tough games in the next 4 days that might be premature. Not impossible that Ryan could find himself on the waiver wire as soon as noon tomorrow. The other option is simply to keep 23 active players and dip into LTI space as the club did the last time Philp got the call.

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