There are a few key positional battles going on at Edmonton Oilers training camp this year. Last week, we took a look at the battle for the second pairing right side defender role. This week, we will take a look at what might be the most contested battle, fourth line centre.
With a wide variety of players vying for this position, there are a number of directions the team can take with its depth. A couple of the contenders are veterans, one of them being a valued member of the team over the last few seasons and another who is having a great training camp after spending a couple of seasons with the Bakersfield Condors. The other two players are highly valued prospects, one who has seen NHL time the past couple seasons and another who is returning from a season off of hockey.
All of these players possess different skills and qualities that can set the tone for how the Oilers want to build their lineup and who they want to bring around.
In this week’s Sunday Census, we left it up to Oilers fans on X to vote for who they would want to be Edmonton’s fourth line centre to start the season.
Want to take part in Sunday Census polls? We send them out every week on our Twitter at @oilrigEDM. Follow along or send in ideas for the next poll!
Can Philp make the Oilers out of camp?
Noah Philp was working his way up the Oilers’ depth chart quite rapidly a couple of seasons ago before he unexpectedly retired from the game of hockey in 2023–24 season. He was on the verge of making the roster that season, but stepped away for personal reasons. Back in March, he announced his return, re-signing a contract with the team.
You may have thought he would need a bit of time to reacclimate to the game, find his feet, and adjust to game speed. But here he is, battling at Oilers training camp, and may be the frontrunner to take the fourth line centre role on opening night. At least, the fans think he should be. Philp won this week’s poll with 56.1% of the vote.
Philp’s skillset would be a fantastic addition to the team. He has size, he is a right-handed centre, his offensive instincts are growing, he is a solid two-way player, and he could probably be taught to kill penalties quite quickly.
There is a lot to like about Philp, and he gets my vote to win this training camp battle.
Can Ryan reclaim his spot?
Derek Ryan, now entering his fourth season with the Oilers, is the “incumbent”, so to speak. He spent a lot of time on the wing last season, but is back battling for the fourth line centre spot this year as the winger positions are deeper. At 37 years of age, he is losing a step. He has always been a smaller and less physical player. But, he is a reliable two-way player, consistent, and a great locker room presence. And those are just some of the reasons why Ryan finished second in this week’s poll with 29% of the vote.
Due to his position last season, even if he loses out on this battle, he will still likely draw in as a winger on that line. Especially if a younger player like Philp or James Hamblin wins the centre role. To have a veteran like Ryan as a linemate and mentor would be massive for either player’s growth.
If Ryan does win it, we can once again expect around 20 points and a ton of penalty kill time from him. Although last season his production did take a significant dip, dropping to just 12 points in 70 games.
Third time’s the charm for Hamblin
Hamblin came in third in this week’s poll with 9.3% of the vote. Fitting, as this would be his third shot at sticking around in an NHL roster were he to come away with the fourth line centre role this season.
He has spent time in the NHL each of the past two seasons, the longest stint being in 2023–24. Hamblin played 31 games, scoring two goals and adding one assist. His other opportunity in the NHL he was held pointless in 10 games.
This puts Hamblin at an important point in his career and development. He is only going to get so many chances to become an NHL mainstay. He is close to maxing out as an AHL tweener and very close to being passed in the depth chart by Philp.
His skillset is something that would work in a fourth-line role. He is fast, energetic, and plays smart hockey. But he has had trouble finding his offence in the NHL, albeit in a minimal role with less than ideal usage to encourage offence, and that may be a major player in what holds him back moving forward.
Can Pederson earn a promotion from the Condors?
Over the past four seasons, Lane Pederson has jumped back and forth between the NHL and AHL very frequently. He has worn the jersey of nine different teams over that span. 2023–24 was the first time since 2019–20 that he played the entire season with a single team when he was with the Bakersfield Condors.
But he has found himself in the battle for the fourth line centre role with the Oilers, hoping to earn a promotion back to the NHL. Ideally, a permanent one this time.
Pederson’s NHL experience thus far is limited. He has just 71 games over three seasons with a total of 11 points. But after the best season of his professional career with the Condors last season, where he had 52 points in 66 games, he has risen up the depth chart enough to be in consideration for this spot.
However, he may not have risen enough as he came in last place in this week’s poll with 5.6% of the vote.
Who would you put as the fourth line centre for the Edmonton Oilers on opening night? Drop a comment down below!
Photo by Curtis Comeau/Icon Sportswire
