Fans can be forgiven for not knowing much about Noah Philp, at least for now. In what is becoming one of the bright spots of the Edmonton Oilers preseason, the 26-year-old, undrafted, and once retired Philp is making a case for a regular lineup spot with the Oilers. Let’s take a closer look at Philp to gauge how much fire is behind the smoke that portends his arrival to the NHL.
Playing history
Philp finished his WHL career with the Seattle Thunderbirds in 2018–19, getting two AHL games with the Stockton Heat at the end of the season. Through his first two WHL seasons, including his draft season, Philp seemed to stagnate. With minimal production, 42 points in 173 games with the Kootenay Ice, Philp grew leaps and bounds after moving to the Thunderbirds. Ending his WHL career with 75 points in 56 games, Philp authored a final season worthy of some NHL related considerations. While not otherworldly considering his age, this growth might inform something about how we see Philp now.
Despite his AHL audition, Philp went to the University of Alberta, playing for the Golden Bears like preseason Oilers teammate Derek Ryan. Amidst canceled seasons and out of the eyes of typical NHL eyes, Philp remained a relatively unknown prospect. However, this would still be enough to earn another AHL audition, this time in three games for the Bakersfield Condors.
In 2022–23 Philp finally played his true rookie season as a professional. It should be noted that he likely could have done so prior, instead choosing to pursue other avenues. Philp was a standout as a rookie, beyond what an impressive stat line would suggest. Many of the most thorough eyes across Oil Country were even projecting Philp to push for the fourth line centre role on the Oilers in 2023–24, last season.
Instead, Philp decided to take a step back, taking last season off. While not typical of those on the NHL path, it has not seemed to have impacted his current quality. Instead, Philp has hit the ground running early, a noticeable talent through the first games of the preseason, and displaying a joy for the game. Last time Philp took an unconventional approach he attended university. This is a person who has been willing to live life on his own terms, and consistently impresses on the ice.
Philp’s player profile
Philp has a lot of NHL measurables going for him. A 6’3” right shot centre, Philp is often lauded for a sound defensive approach. Even more, Philp is fast. While perhaps not Connor McDavid, speed will be an advantage for Philp rather than a weakness. Philp is strong, willing to be physical in appropriate moments, and a great faceoff presence. Speed and strength make him a forechecking presence. On top of this, Philp was a penalty killer for the Condors in his only full AHL season, and has been doing the same for the Oilers this preseason. These traits alone make Philp’s NHL arrival a question of when more than if.
What is special about Philp is that there is more to his game. Philp might be more than just a fourth line defensive specialist. There are some decent puck skills, a decent shot, and enough speed to be an asset in transition. Already it appears that Philp is capable of taking advantage of solid looks with the puck. Fans expecting to see a brooding firecracker will be surprised by the deviation from the 26-year-old, rookie centre branding being bandied about.
There are some signs of offensive life, though obscured by a lack of professional experience. Even if Philp does not light up the scoreboard wherever he plays this season, he could very well be a legitimate contributor to NHL offence if he is able to continue honing his skills. Being around some of the best players in the world, friend or foe, could only help Philp to raise his game.
Expecting Philp to become Zach Hyman is an unfair burden, but despite his relatively advanced age as a prospect it is more than likely that his best years are still ahead of him. By refining his skills and building poise, Philp can continue to develop his game, and potentially move up the lineup in the years to come.
In context to fitting in the Oilers roster
At this point, Philp is thoroughly in front of other contenders for the Oilers fourth line centre, and not only on the basis of the faceoff skill and penalty kill usage required of the role. Derek Ryan always seems to find his way into the coaches good books, though clearly the Oilers prefer him on the wing. James Hamblin seems to be a fine option, Lane Pederson best served as an emergency option. The role would do no good for the Oilers or Matthew Savoie. In some ways, he is an easy option.
The whole truth is a bit less graceful. As the Oilers attempt to juggle the salary cap and navigate the upcoming waiver crunch there will be many factors to building the opening night roster. The Oilers are penny pinching against the cap ceiling, attempting to accrue cap space before placing Evander Kane on LTIR. Philp is still waiver exempt, and perhaps more time in the AHL would give him more offensive touches. In turn, this might help his offensive quality in the long run. For Philp truthers, starting the season in the AHL should not be a concern, and he is firmly on the radar of Coach Kris Knoblauch and his staff for a call up this season.
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