Oilers Facing Tough Decision With Waivers Plan As Holiday Roster Freeze Ends
The NHL's holiday roster freeze will come to an end tonight, and the Edmonton Oilers will be faced with some tough decisions with one extra forward on their roster.
Just before the holiday break, Oilers coach Knoblauch hinted that the team doesn't want to risk losing a player by placing them on waivers.
- Coach Knoblauch
That decision made sense heading into the holiday break, but now the Oilers are carrying an extra forward on the roster that will affect their plan to accrue as much cap space as possible.
Oilers Facing Inevitable Decision With Veteran Forward Derek Ryan
With every player healthy except for Evander Kane, Derek Ryan has been the odd man out as the team's fourth line center - and he's also got a prime replacement waiting in the wings.
26 year old centerman Noah Philp impressed the Oilers in training camp this year after coming out of retirement, and earned a call up for 3 games earlier this year.
The younger 6'3 right shot centerman is likely who the Oilers would like in the lineup over Derek Ryan in the playoffs, unless they trade for another option. Even if it isn't Philp though, it looks like the 37 year old Derek Ryan won't be playing a role in the playoffs.
Coach Knoblauch has stated that Ryan will continue to have a role on the team and play if he's on the roster, but why would they do so if Philp is the more likely to play in crunch time?
At the very least, the Oilers should take some time prior to the trade deadline to give Philp an extended look on the fourth line. He's certainly got more of a future on this team than a 37 year old veteran.
Oilers Will Have Even More Difficult Forward Decisions When Evander Kane Refurns
Evander Kane's return date is still up in the air, and it's possible he doesn't return until into the playoffs. When he does though, the Oilers will face another difficult decision to have to cut a player, or Kane himself.
Assuming Philp is in the lineup over Derek Ryan when Evander Kane returns, another quality NHL player could be bumped out of the lineup. Jeff Skinner also doesn't have a place in the lineup, and looks likely to be moved out.
Janmark is on a three year contract, Connor Brown and Corey Perry are respected veterans still playing well, which could make Kasperi Kapanen the odd man out.
If the Oilers want to keep Kapanen's speed in the lineup, the decision shifts to cutting Brown, Perry, or Evander Kane.
Podkolzin - Draisaitl - Arvidsson
Kapanen - Henrique - Brown
Janmark - Philp - Perry
Kane
Stan Bowman now has just a few months left until the trade deadline, and has some major roster decisions to make.
