Oilers’ Next Contract Signing Could Catch Fans Off Guard

It might surprise some fans, but the next contract given out by the Edmonton Oilers could be to a player that few had on their radar. Names like Brett Kulak, Stuart Skinner, and Calvin Pickard might have been the top guesses when it came to the team’s next extension, but re-signing Noah Philp might be a priority.

All players mentioned above are pending UFAs. As are Adam Henrique, Mattias Janmark, Troy Stecher, Jack Roslovic, Kasperi Kapanen, and David Tomasek. It’s Philip who the Oilers really want to ensure doesn’t go anywhere, and they’re hoping to lock him into a deal that will look like a bargain in a few seasons.

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At first glance, extending Kulak might seem like the logical first move. The 30-year-old blueliner has been a steady, reliable presence since arriving in Edmonton, thriving in a variety of pairings while carrying a team-friendly $2.75 million cap hit. But with his next deal likely costing more — and the Oilers pressed tight against the salary cap — management may look elsewhere first.

Both Skinner and Pickard are options for an extension, especially if the goalie market doesn’t offer a better choice, or if one of these two steps up this season and has the kind of year the Oilers need to feel confident in sticking it out. Skinner has rebounded from a tough first game, but there are still lingering questions, and he won’t be inexpensive to re-sign, given the cost teams have been paying to retain starters in recent weeks.

Noah Philp Might Be the Best Bargain on the Oilers

That’s where Philp comes in. The 27-year-old forward has opened eyes early this season, posting three points in his first five games after managing just two in 15 appearances last year. Beyond the numbers, he’s showing a mature, versatile game: responsible defensively, improving in the faceoff circle, and able to drive play without turning the puck over.

Philp’s current $775,000 cap hit makes him one of the best value players on the roster. His combination of energy, intelligence, and cost-effectiveness makes him a potential building block. The Oilers are looking to retain young players who have high upside. That, to the letter, describes Philp. There’s a reason the Oilers won’t place him on waivers — they believe they’d lose him.

While Kulak remains a vital part of the Oilers’ blue line, Henrique could be an inexpensive short-term signing, and the goaltending is still a big concern moving forward, Philp is the name to watch. Locking him up sooner rather than later could secure a promising piece of Edmonton’s depth.

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