Edmonton will face off against the Vancouver Canucks in their final preseason game, and the lineup closely resembles what is expected for opening night. During practice today, Knoblauch confirmed that top center is currently considered day-to-day.
He may have sustained an injury during an awkward collision with Brandon Montour and Drake Caggiula in the last preseason game, which caused Caggiula to skate off awkwardly.
Filling in as the fourth-line center in his absence is 26-year-old Noah Philp, who has emerged as a standout story of the preseason for the Oilers. After taking a year off from hockey, Philp has returned with impressive determination. He has showcased a responsible two-way game, been effective on faceoffs, and demonstrated his ability as a solid checker in the corners. Additionally, being 11 years younger than Derek Ryan, Philp has the potential to bring more speed and energy to the fourth line.
Before this injury, it appeared that Noah Philp had secured the fourth-line center position for opening night over Derek Ryan. This injury will likely reinforce that decision for Knoblauch, allowing Philp to potentially make his NHL debut on October 9th against the Jets.
Ryan has served as a reliable depth center for the Oilers over the past three seasons. Even if he isn’t in the opening night lineup, he will still play a crucial role for the team this year. The regular season is a demanding 82-game grind, requiring more than just 12 forwards to navigate it successfully. Similar to Sam Gagner’s role last year, Ryan may take on the responsibilities of a locker room leader and serve as the 13th forward.
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