While the Edmonton Oilers is preparing for the training camp, the competition for schedules is expected to be fierce – and Mattias Janmark could be on the bubble.
After a 2024-25 season in which the role of Janmark faded when the season came and the coaches no longer trusted him in ways they had earlier, he can be challenged to secure a place in the opening night schedule. If that happens, and a prospect like Noah Philp takes a step forward, Janmark could find on the outside. A player who has already considered the Oilers organization to trade this off-season, the less Janmark contributes, the greater the chance that the oilers have his contract to relocate his contract in a Cap-Clearing trade.
Allan Mitchell van The athletics writes:
“A player who is perhaps vulnerable is Mattias Janmark. He can lose his schedule to Noah Philp during the training camp. Philp is a right shooting center that would have a great use of the Roster. The fact that Janmark is still for him is partly due to Philp’s poor face-off season.”
Where Janmark was previously shown, a depth was -with a fine killing bravery. Where Philp has a head start in the season is that he is a law center whose versatility could be to take some of those PK minutes. Philip rarely killed punishments in the 15 games he played last season, but it will be an element that he wants to add to his game.
Philp’s size, defensive reliability and the ability to play in multiple situations make him an intriguing option for a depth role. He also comes in for a fraction of the costs that Janmark does.
Janmark’s belt with oilers may not be long
For now, Janmark stays ahead of the depth card, but that cannot take. If Philp can learn to kill fines and get better in faceoffs, he could make the leap to a full-time NHL place. That will be brought into a precarious position.
Janmark, a veteran of nearly 600 NHL competitions, deserves a shot to earn back the confidence of his head coach and some of his new assistants. However, the oilers have shown the willingness to make changes when younger players are ready.
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