Valuable Roster Spot Up For Grabs in Oilers-Jets Rematch

Finn Marceau

Sep 25, 2024, 22:30

Finn Marceau

Sep 25, 2024, 22:30

Four players will be fighting for the Oilers' fourth-line centre role as the Oilers take on the Jets for the second time this pre-season.

Nothing wrong with a little competition, right?

That's the Edmonton Oilers' outlook heading into tonight's pre-season rematch with the Winnipeg Jets, as four players will be battling for the team's fourth-line centre role. Derek Ryan, Noah Philp, James Hamblin, and Lane Pederson will all draw into the lineup tonight.

The spot should be Ryan's to lose, as he's filled that role for the past three seasons in Edmonton. Ryan's also 37 years old, and his footspeed noticeably slipped last season. He might be best suited to a spot on the wing at this point in his career, though that spot on the fourth line is currently filled by fellow graybeard Corey Perry. He'll play the wing to start tonight but might shift around the lineup as the game progresses.

Of the three other contenders, the 27-year-old Pederson has the most NHL experience, though that doesn't amount to much. He's played 71 NHL games with four teams over three seasons, accumulating only 11 points. He spent all last year in Bakersfield, where he was second on the team in goals (22) and points (52).

Oilers fans might be more familiar with James Hamblin, who played 31 games with the team last season. The Edmonton native was signed as an undrafted free agent in 2020 and has spent most of the past few years in Bakersfield.

Hamblin is hard-working and tenacious but, like Ryan, stands only 5'10" and might be best suited to the wing. He's also the only left-shot player in this group, which could be an issue as all of the other centre options on the big league roster are also lefties.

Rounding out the group is the 6'3" Noah Philp. He's been a big story at camp, returning to the ice after taking last season off due to personal issues. He's earned praise from Kris Knoblauch for his stout defensive play and face-off prowess. He came into camp as a long shot but has obviously played his way into consideration for an NHL role.

They'll be joined on the wings by some more familiar faces, as Viktor Arvidsson, Connor Brown, and Mattias Janmark are all expected to play tonight. Stuart Skinner will be making his pre-season debut in net for the Oilers.

Part of the reason the four prospective fourth-line centres are playing is who's drawing in for their opponents. Winnipeg is starting almost its entire big league roster, including its top line and entire defensive corps.

Against such a tough and experienced opponent, it'll be sink or swim for Ryan, Pederson, Hamblin, and Philp to see who can handle big minutes against legitimate NHL stars.

The Oilers defeated the Jets 3-2 in their pre-season opener on Sunday, when both teams iced much less experienced squads. They'll see the Jets again soon, as the two teams will meet for the regular season opener in Edmonton on October 9th.

Puck drop is scheduled for 6 pm MT. The game will be streaming on Oilers+, for which you can get a two-month free trial with the code "PRESEASON24!".

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