The Edmonton Oilers prospect didn't play last year but is making the battle for fourth-line center an interesting one.
The Edmonton Oilers prospect didn't play last year but is making the battle for fourth-line center an interesting one.
EDMONTON -- Every new season is a new opportunity.
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The Edmonton Oilers can start their regular season on the right foot. This would serve the team better than the huge misfire they suffered at the beginning of last year.
This is easier said than done.
This year, one of the most interesting position battles in training camp is for the fourth-line center role. And an Oilers prospect may have the inside track.
Noah Philp is one of those players in competition for that role. The 6-foot-3 Albertan spent all of last year taking time away from hockey. Most thought he was completely walking away from hockey.
But now he's back.
So far, he's put his best foot forward at this training camp. And now, insiders are talking about him.
On Friday's edition of Oilers Now with Bob Stauffer, Philp was one main topic of conversation with guest Frank Seravalli.
"To me he's been more noticeable than a couple other guys that are trying to get themselves in the mix for fourth-line center position," Stauffer told Seravalli.
"If he doesn't have the inside track on the fourth-line center spot," Seravalli began his response, "he's at least made it a dead heat."
Earlier this summer, Bakersfield Condors head coach Colin Chaulk said Philp could have played NHL games this past year if he hadn't stepped away from hockey.
So far in the pre-season, he's made the coach's lives difficult in the best way possible. He's presenting himself as a legitimate option for the fourth-line center role.
His defensive game has been calm and assertive. His skating stride has improved greatly despite him missing a year of playing.
Although he has not scored any points this preseason, his impact on the game goes beyond that. In three preseason games, he has had seven shots and five hits, is 60% in faceoffs, and averages 14:23 per game.
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During the playoffs, the Oilers cycled through Sam Carrick and Derek Ryan at fourth-line center. This suggests that the Oilers are at least open to someone coming into camp and taking over that position.
And Philp just might be that guy.
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