Oilers Coach benching rookie forward indicates team is leaning toward trade for upgrade
The Edmonton Oilers have called up Noah Philp for a test run before this year's playoffs, but Coach Knoblauch's limited usage of him may indicate the team is leaning toward an upgrade through trade.
26 year old centerman Noah Philp turned heads in training camp after coming out of retirement, and got back up to full speed playing the first half of the year in the AHL.
Oilers plans with Noah Philp unclear if he keeps riding the bench
Philp played less than 7 minutes against the Buffalo Sabres in the Oilers win yesterday. Edmonton Journal writer Kurt Leavins called out Knoblauch, saying that if Philp is getting a real tryout at 4th line center, he actually needs to play some minutes.
- Kurt Leavins
In Knoblauch's defence, the game was a tighter score than would've been preferred against a bottom feeder team like Buffalo. Philp did get 10:55 of ice time in the Oilers blowout win over Vancouver.
However, coach Knoblauch also benched Philp against the Washington Captials, only playing him 5:15. After the game, he did explain that he was just trying to equal the score.
- Coach Knoblauch
Still, Oilers fans and media aren't entirely satisfied with this answer for Noah Philp's usage. If the team is going to trust him in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, they need to be able to use him in a close regular season game against Buffalo.
Could the Oilers upgrade on Noah Philp through trade?
If Knoblauch isn't trusting Philp in these situations after a couple weeks on the roster, it may be the case instead that the Oilers explore the trade market to get a veteran 4th line center, someone to be trusted in all situations.
The Oilers have been linked to acquiring a versatile, physical forward in trade by insider Bob Stauffer. There's plenty of veteran forwards available, and that news can't be good for Philp.
Philp is still a promising player that has played well in limited opportunities with the Oilers this season. If he doesn't make the playoff roster this season, he'll surely be on the team next year.
