Edmonton will face off against the Vancouver Canucks in their final preseason game tonight, and the lineup resembles what is anticipated for opening night. During practice today, Knoblauch confirmed that gifted center is currently listed as day-to-day.
He may have sustained an injury during an awkward collision with Brandon Montour and Drake Caggiula in the last preseason game, which caused Caggiula to skate off unsteadily.
Filling in as the fourth line center is 26-year-old Noah Philp, who has been a standout during the Oilers’ preseason. After taking a year off from hockey, Philp has returned with impressive determination. He has shown a solid two-way game, performed well in faceoffs, and has proven to be a strong checker in the corners. Being 11 years younger than Derek Ryan, he might also add more speed and energy to the fourth line.
Before his injury, Noah Philp seemed to have secured the fourth line center position for opening night over Derek Ryan. This injury will only reinforce that decision for Knoblauch, allowing Philp to make his NHL debut on October 9th against the Jets.
Ryan has spent the last three seasons with the Oilers as a reliable depth center. Even if he doesn’t start the season in the lineup, he will still fulfill that role this year. The regular season is a long 82-game journey, and teams need more than 12 forwards to navigate it. Similar to Sam Gagner’s role last year, Ryan may step up as a locker room leader and serve as the 13th forward.
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