The Edmonton Oilers have placed forward Noah Philp on waivers, as well as forward David Tomasek, with a view to contract termination. While the Tomasek news isn’t surprising, Philp’s waiver decision could be. A useful attacker who has not made much of an impression this season, partly due to injury. There’s a chance a team could take a chance and claim him.
Philp is still a bit of a project for the Oilers, but in limited action he has looked pretty solid. He arguably did nothing to deserve going to the AHL, perhaps offering more to the team than Tomasek did, or struggling forwards like Andrew Mangiapane and Trent Frederic currently are. That includes Philp, a big right center, something not readily available in the NHL.
Philp has played 15 games for the Oilers this season, recording two goals and one assist while averaging 10 minutes per game. He has been sidelined since November 17 due to an upper body injury and has been placed on LTIR. He could join Bakersfield if he clears waivers.
Perhaps this is a situation where Oilers fans concerned about him being claimed are overvaluing the player compared to how other teams might view him. Philp’s fifteen-game spell produced modest results, including a -7 rating and poor possession statistics at five-a-side. He excelled in faceoffs at 56.9%, and a team could see him as a player with a higher ceiling in a bigger role.
The Oilers have already lost a player to waivers in a somewhat similar situation. The Toronto Maple Leafs claimed Troy Stecher and he has become a vital part of their blue line this season.
It’s something that could happen with Philp, making him a potential waiver target due to his cheap, expiring deal.
Next: Analyst points to growing concerns surrounding Trent Frederic
#Oil #companies #risks #putting #surprising #waivers