At the end of the first period during Wednesday’s road game against the Seattle Kraken, Edmonton Oilers right winger Viktor Arvidsson blocked a shot while on the penalty kill. Fans had to wait the entire intermission to see him back on the bench and confirmed for the rest of the game.
Situations like this occur countless times throughout an NHL season, prompting management and coaching staff to develop contingency plans for any scenario.
Some players are indispensable. Oilers captain Connor McDavid is unmatched in the league, while Leon Draisaitl has few peers at his level.
For the other players on an NHL roster, there are suitable replacements within the organization. The preseason is crucial for identifying these candidates and establishing the order of recall in case of injuries, trades, or poor performance.
Let’s take a look at the “next man up” for Edmonton, broken down by position and playing style.
First Recall Centre: Noah Philp
The Oilers are currently featuring McDavid, Draisaitl, and Adam Henrique on their top three lines, while the coaching staff is experimenting with various candidates for the fourth-line center role.
Throughout the preseason, leading up to the finale against the Vancouver Canucks, Noah Philp has emerged as the top recall option for the team.
His strong performance has been so impactful that the club might consider including him on the opening night roster, potentially making room for him at the expense of another young player, Raphael Lavoie. Philp’s skill set includes impressive speed, size, and faceoff ability (currently at 63% in even-strength situations), as well as proficiency in both even-strength play and the penalty kill.
Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch could team Philp with Derek Ryan on the fourth line, as having multiple right-handed centers on hand is a valuable asset.
Despite missing a year of hockey, Philp has outperformed expectations during this training camp and has consistently looked like a top contender for a spot on the roster.
A note on Philp’s acquisition: If he secures a spot over Lavoie, it would represent a win for the undrafted free agent from Canadian university hockey over a second-round draft pick (Lavoie). The scout who recognized Philp’s potential deserves full credit, although NHL teams hardly ever disclose such names.
First Recall Winger: Raphael Lavoie
Lavoie and Philp seem to be in a competition for roster space, as fitting both into the lineup could prove challenging.
The management’s recent decision to extend Corey Perry has complicated matters, especially with the organization opting to keep injured winger Evander Kane on the active roster. Avoiding LTIR with Kane allows the Oilers to accumulate cap space leading into the trade deadline, but Lavoie’s waiver status could lead to losing him to another team.
On the ice, Lavoie has done everything possible to claim an NHL spot, including scoring two goals during preseason. He’s a proven 25-goal scorer in the AHL, but with no available skill winger role for him, it’s doubtful he can offer more value than Philp as a depth forward.
His preseason injury also adds uncertainty to his situation. Nevertheless, if he remains with the organization, he is clearly the top recall option on the wing, provided he can clear waivers to go to Bakersfield.
First Recall Defenceman: Travis Dermott or Ben Gleason
The Oilers appear solid on defense, led by the top pairing of Mattias Ekholm and Evan Bouchard, both of whom logged over 21 minutes per game last season and could see even more time this year.
Darnell Nurse is back to full health and participated in the Seattle game, likely pushing his minutes past 21 per game this season as well.
Beyond that, players like Ty Emberson, Brett Kulak, Josh Brown, and Troy Stecher should fill support roles in the NHL depth chart.
The final depth chart for the Oilers is still being finalized, as auditions continue. Travis Dermott, currently on a PTO, could secure an NHL contract for the 2024-25 season at any moment.
Should he succeed, it might lead to Stecher going through waivers to the minors. If that does not happen, Ben Gleason would likely become the first defensive recall option. For the second straight year, Gleason has performed well in preseason, positioning himself for NHL opportunities this winter.
Here’s a closer look at all notable defensive prospects vying for the seventh spot on the Oilers’ blue line.
Travis Dermott: 79, 61
Josh Brown: 60, 40
Ben Gleason: 60, 56
Ty Emberson: 51, 74
Cam Dineen: 42, 45
Troy Stecher: 39, 66
Noel Hoefenmayer: 35, 43
Connor Carrick: 32, 43
Max Wanner: 29, 40
All stats five-on-five via Natural Stat Trick
Based on ice time, both Dermott and Gleason had more playing time compared to other contenders. Their ability to play on both the left and right sides likely contributed to their extended ice minutes.
Brown logged significant minutes, potentially due to challenges early in the preseason. His position has been stable throughout training camp thanks to his unique skill set as the team’s most physical right-handed defenseman, similar in style to Vincent Desharnais, who is no longer with the team. However, Brown has been slow to find his rhythm this camp.
With only a few days remaining, it’s likely that all projected defensemen will secure spots on the team.
Gleason would be the first recall unless Dermott signs a contract. Both have similar skill sets, but Dermott may have an advantage due to his prior experience with coach Kris Knoblauch and McDavid with the OHL Erie Otters.
First Recall Goaltender: Uncertain
Olivier Rodrigue was the expected candidate for this role until Thursday night’s game against Seattle. He had previously finished in the top 10 for AHL goalie save percentage for two consecutive years, but unfortunately had a poor outing at a critical time.
Before that game, Rodrigue had struggled, but he wasn’t alone. No Edmonton goalie managed to achieve a save percentage close to 90 during the preseason.
These shaky performances won’t affect starter Stuart Skinner or backup Calvin Pickard, whose positions are secure.
Rodrigue’s solid AHL track record made him a contender for the third goalie spot in the organization and the first recall option.
However, his struggles against the Kraken open the door for Collin Delia and may lead general manager Stan Bowman to consider external options for both the Bakersfield Condors and the NHL club’s first goalie recall.
Bottom Line
For a team lacking first-round picks climbing up from the pro side, the Oilers have a solid group of recall options.
The scout who advocated for Philp deserves recognition, as he may prove to be a significant asset. Right-handed centers capable of penalty killing and winning faceoffs, with good size and speed, are highly valuable in the NHL, and Philp seems ready just when the Oilers need him.
The defensive depth chart boasts numerous candidates of similar caliber, and if Emberson can establish himself alongside Nurse, that bodes well. Dermott would be the first recall if he signs, while Gleason would be the next choice if the team opts not to add another contract.
Lavoie and Rodrigue find themselves in less favorable situations. Lavoie seems NHL-ready, but his ideal role is as a second-line winger, which is currently blocked by Arvidsson’s signing for this year and possibly beyond.
Rodrigue’s poor performance against Seattle is likely just a temporary setback. He still has a good chance to see NHL action this season if he performs well with the Condors again in 2024-25.
Trades, especially involving Lavoie for a defenseman or goalie, along with waivers, are still on the table.
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