Oilers tidbits
Oilers swap AHLers with the Habs
Not much to see here, this is largely the swapping of problem children - a career minor leaguer in exchange for an underperforming former first round pick. He's been doing better in Bakersfield, so this one might turn out in our favor after all.
Connor Clattenburg gets an early Christmas present
A fifth round pick from 2024, Clattenburg was signed on Dec. 23 to an ELC. He's continued his fine play for the OHL's Flint FIrebirds into the new year, looking more and more like a hidden gem the Oilers have unearthed. Expect him to graduate to Bakersfield next season as he turns 20 in May and thus will age out of junior hockey. I can't wait to see how his rookie pro season goes, he'll be worth keeping an eye on as he scores goals and terrorizes the opposition in the AHL. NHL teams could always use a guy like Clattenburg in their lineup, so he'll be a great asset to have in the system going forward.
Jesse Puljujarvi available in trade, says Pittsburgh
Umm....no. Just no. For so many reasons that should be obvious to anyone.
Ex-Oiler Alex Chiasson retires
You remember Chiasson, right? He was a well travelled, mostly bottom six forward who played 651 NHL games over 11 NHL seasons, finishing with 120 goals, 233 points, and 359 PIMs. He spent the most time here in Edmonton with the Oilers, three seasons as he had his one and only 20 goal season here as a member of the copper and blue. He was also a member of the Capitals in 2018 when they won the Cup. Not a bad career, it could be much worse. Chiasson had a PTO with Boston last season but didn't make the team. No word on what's next for Chiasson.
Connor Mcdavid turns 28, passes Jari Kurri for second all time in Oilers franchise scoring
Mcdavid recently passed Wayne Gretzky's 80s sidekick on the Oilers in Jarri Kurri for second in Oilers franchise scoring all-time. Mcdavid has 1044 career points as an Oiler at the time of this writing, surpassing Kurri who has 1043 as an Oiler. He's only 626 points away from - you guessed it - Gretzky, who holds the all-time points franchise record for the Oilers with 1,670. If Mcdavid can stay healthy and keep up the same scoring pace the smart money says he reaches that by the time he's 34.
Also speaking of Connor Mcdavid, he recently turned 28 on Jan. 13, celebrating by scoring the lone goal in the 1-0 victory over LA.
Noah Philp recalled from Bakersfield
For the second time this season, Noah Philp has been recalled from Bakersfield, where word has it he's been playing 20 minutes a night in all situations. Philp had a cup of coffee here earlier in the season in October when he had a four game callup, producing an assist during that time.
Word on the street is the Oilers will be giving him an extended callup this time because the stars have aligned for Philp as the go-to fourth line C, Derek Ryan, has been a healthy scratch as of late. Philp is a right shot center just like Ryan, and against Minnesota was playing on a fourth line with Jeff Skinner and Kasperi Kapanen as his wingers.
Philp had 9-8-17 in 28 games with the Condors prior to his callup. I believe that Philp may be auditioning to replace Ryan permanently in the lineup. Ryan hasn't even played in almost a week, and hasn't played more than 10 minutes in a game since Dec. 22. Ryan is also 38 years old now and is in the last year of his contract, so he'll likely need to be replaced with a younger player anyway. If I had to bet I would say that Ryan's NHL career may be unofficially finished as of late.
Philp is also a much bigger player than Ryan, see here and here. That's a big difference. It also helps that Philp is much younger at 26. Not bad for a guy who wasn't even drafted. The guy put up a monster 26 goals and 75 points in 56 games his last season of junior - why he wasn't drafted I'll never know.
Kasperi Kapanen back on waivers soon?
I would wager Kapanen will be back on waivers soon enough. Kapanen has fallen from grace since he was picked up on waivers and didn't look out of place on the second line. In his last 10 games Kapanen's offence has dried up as he has a mere one goal and two assists in that time, and his +/- has dipped to worst on the team at -11, recently usurping Jeff Skinner for that dubious honor who is holding steady at -10.
If Kapanen isn't producing offensively or defensively then what's the point of him being here? I can't see a role for him otherwise - though he does play on the second unit PK, so maybe that's enough to keep him here. We'll have to see how it plays out - if Kane comes back to the roster before the end of the regular season it may force their hand into putting him on waivers.