The Edmonton Oilers are on a roll right now, winning seven straight and finally sitting in a playoff spot for the first time this season. As a result they headed out for their three-game road trip in good spirits, with them preparing to face the Blackhawks in Chicago on Tuesday night sans Connor Bedard, who has been placed on Injured Reserve with a fractured jaw.
Aside from the absence of a second 'Battle of the Connors', the start of the road trip is also notable for a new addition to the Oilers roster. More specifically, Philip Kemp.
As per a team release, the Oilers confirmed they have brought Kemp up from the Condors, due to coach Kris Knoblauch wanting seven defencemen for the road trip. There was enough room and cap space on the roster, due to Dylan Holloway being assigned to the Condors after being reactivated from Long Term Injured Reserve.
This is the second time Kemp has been called up by the Oilers, with the first time coming during last season's fateful second round matchup with the Golden Knights. However, he didn't see any ice time versus the eventual Stanley Cup champions.
Whether the 24-year-old will actually get to play during the three-game road trip remains to be seen. However, there is a good chance he will finally make his official NHL debut at some point in Chicago, Detroit or Montreal. (He did appear in four Oilers games during the preseason.)
Potentially helping Kemp's cause, is the speculation that fellow blue-liner Brett Kulak is currently banged up. As per The Oil Rig, Kulak has been sitting out optional skates, although it is also worth noting he is a left-hand shot, whereas Kemp is right-handed.
Also worthy of mention, Kemp has recently been paired with Philip Broberg in Bakersfield. The duo have combined well, as the Condors are currently on a streak of 12 points out of their last possible 14.
For the AHL season as a whole, Kemp so far has five points -- all assists -- and a +5 rating in 26 games for the Condors. Last season saw him set a whole host of career highs, including 71 games, six goals, 15 assists, 21 overall points and a +12 rating.
The 2017 seventh round draft pick also incurred a single-season career high 51 penalty minutes. At 6 foot 3 and 212 pounds, he's a physical presence who isn't afraid to get stuck in.
In truth, Kemp has limited upside when it comes to what he potentially offers at the NHL level, but he has still earned his chance with the Oilers. He can remain on the roster for up to 10 games played or 30 days -- whichever comes first -- before needing to be placed on waivers prior to returning to the Condors.
As per Cap Friendly, the Greenwich, Connecticut native is in the first season of a two-year, two-way contract. The deal is worth a guaranteed $1.55 million, with an annual $775,00 cap hit at the NHL level.