Oilers analyst rips coach for once again benching young player over struggling veteran
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The Edmonton Oilers have lost numerous young talented players over the years due to a lack of playing time, and now one analyst is calling out the same mistake with their new lineup.
Already, Oilers analysts have predicted that Noah Philp may depart the organization this offseason in search of more playing time - and Philp will certainly be seeing that tonight.
Oilers analyst calls out team for once again prioritizing struggling veteran over young player
In the Oilers lineup tonight, Noah Philp will play on the fourth line behind Mattias Janmark. Analyst Bruce Curlock has called out the decision as a strange missed opportunity to get a better look at Philp.
Specifically, Mattias Janmark has really struggled this season. The 32 year old forward has only 2 goals this season, and likely is going to be out of the playoff lineup when Kane returns.
There's no reason not to give Philp an extended look in a game like this, or really, more throughout the season. All year, the Oilers have given games to ineffective veteran players over cheaper, younger, internal options like Savoie and Philp.
It's another part of the trend that the Oilers have made another premature decision on their internal prospects.
Curlock is also criticizing the recent decisions to sit Emberson for Troy Stecher, also curbing Emberson's development who still only has 102 NHL games played.
Hopefully the Oilers are able to finally learn from these mistakes and find a way to give their internal young guys more room to grow. If not, they'll continue to see NHL players slip through the organization, or never even come to fruition.
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 11 | 568 ANSWERS Oilers analyst rips coach for once again benching young player over struggling veteran Do you think the Oilers have failed to develop young players properly? | ||
| Yes | 461 | 81.2 % |
| No | 107 | 18.8 % |
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