The Edmonton Oilers have re-signed a couple of players who were staples of the AHL’s Bakersfield Condors through last season. Centres James Hamblin and Noah Philp have agreed to terms with the organization on identical one-year, two-way deals with a $775k AAV at the NHL level. Additionally, defender Noel Hoefenmayer has re-signed with the team on the same contract.
From outside the organization, defender Connor Carrick has joined the Oilers on a one-year, two-way deal with that same $775k AAV.
James Hamblin looking to stay with his hometown team
Hamblin, an Edmonton-born player, has split the last two seasons between the Oilers and Condors. Last season, he played 31 games in Edmonton, scoring two goals and three points. The most memorable of which was his first career NHL goal.
Although he may not have made much of an impact offensively, his hustle and work ethic on the ice were a welcome addition to the fourth line during his stint with the Oilers.
Last season was ultimately derailed by injuries, so Hamblin will be looking to stay healthy to build and grow off of the longest NHL stint yet in his career.
Noah Philp returns to professional hockey
After a rookie season in the AHL in which he played 70 games while recording 37 points in 2022–23, Philp unexpectedly retired from hockey for personal reasons. He ultimately took the entire season off before announcing he would be returning to hockey in the spring. The Oilers had retained his rights during this period and he rejoined the organization, which culminated in him re-signing with the team for one season.
This is wonderful news for Philp that he is back in a place where he can pursue his hockey career and the organization and fans are happy he has returned.
Philp is likely to spend all of next season with Bakersfield while he continues to develop, though with the promise he showed with the Condors in the past, he could be at the top of the call-up list.
Noel Hoefenmayer earned another chance in the Oilers organization
Last offseason, the Oilers signed Hoefenmayer as a free agent. He was a promising target for, at the very least, organizational depth. There is some promise of developing further but as of now he is deemed to be a great part of the defensive group in Bakersfield. The Oilers have extended him on a one-year, two-way contract with a $775k AAV at the NHL level.
There is no expectation of him making the Oilers roster, but with seven goals and 18 points in 47 games with the Condors, he should continue to be an important part of their system.
Improving defensive depth by signing Connor Carrick
Continuing to fill out the theme of defensive depth this free agent season, the Edmonton Oilers have signed defender Connor Carrick to a one-year, two-way contract with an NHL AAV of $775k.
Carrick is a bit of a journeyman depth defender, having played with five different NHL teams across eight NHL seasons. Drafted by the Washington Capitals in the fifth round back in 2012, he debuted in the 2013–14 season and has spent almost every season since jumping around constantly. Between the NHL and AHL, he has played with 12 different teams since his debut, potentially increasing it to 14 this season if he splits time between Edmonton and Bakersfield.
Carrick has not played in the NHL much in recent years, only appearing in 12 games since the 2020–21 season, indicating he will be primarily utilized in the AHL.
Photo by Curtis Comeau/Icon Sportswire
