Insider Throws Out Theory: Oilers Testing Players Before Big Decisions

The Edmonton Oilers may be in a position where tough roster decisions are looming, and TSN’s Ryan Rishaug, Rob Brown, and Jason Strudwick discussed the potential implications on the latest episode of Got Yer’ Back. The thought that the Oilers might be auditioning players over the next few games before sending them down or trading them was discussed.

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Rishaug suggested that the team might give certain players one last chance in NHL games before deciding whether to send them down or explore trade options. “I think they need to be able to say that they gave everybody opportunity, right?” he explained. “They need to be able to look at these guys — most of them NHL players — and say, you were given a chance to grab your spot. So for [Curtis] Lazar, they’re going to have to work them into some games here and there… did you give a guy a legitimate chance?”

Rishaug noted other players who could see opportunities before decisions are made, including Noah Philp, David Tomasek, Alec Regula, and Troy Stecher. “Some of these decisions are somewhat in the name of making sure guys get a fair look before these tough decisions have to come, and I can’t help but think Noah Philp will be on the right side of it,” he said.

Rob Brown, however, pushed back on the idea that the Oilers need to give every player NHL minutes solely for evaluation purposes. “I mean, he [Philp] doesn’t penalty kill… if they thought he could help them win tonight’s hockey game, then I feel that Noah Philp would have been in the lineup,” Brown said. “I don’t see that as a theory going forward, where they have to give these guys minutes so that they can send them down.”

Jason Strudwick highlighted the depth the Oilers currently possess, suggesting that some players could have value in the trade market. “If everyone’s healthy at the same time, there will be a log jam, and I think some of the players will have value on the open market… maybe you just got to make a move and get something back for these guys,” he said.

Rishaug closed by acknowledging Strudwick’s point. “Yeah, it’s a good point on Stecher, maybe more on point than what I was saying about opportunity and more about a trade helping this group. They’ve got Regula coming back, they do have a log jam, and they’ve got some good NHL players that aren’t going to be with this team, so maybe it helps them get a deal done,” he said.

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