Yahoo Sports Oilers' Demotions Make Room For New Players
NHL rosters are a zero-sum game.
When a new player comes in, more often than not someone else has to go out. For the Oilers, the additions of John Klingberg and Noah Philp come at the expense of veterans Josh Brown and Derek Ryan.
The team announced today that Brown has been loaned back to the Bakersfield Condors, while Ryan has been placed on waivers, effectively ending his time with the Oilers.
The #Oilers have placed forward Derek Ryan on waivers & loaned defenceman Josh Brown to the @Condors.
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) January 19, 2025
It's painful but necessary in the case of Ryan. Signed as a free agent in 2021, the former University of Alberta Golden Bear was a warrior for four years with the Oilers, notching 59 points in 258 games, plus another seven in 45 playoff games.
Ryan was a stabilizing force in the Oilers' bottom six from the moment he signed, but his legs finally started to go in his age-38 season. That being said, I would not be surprised if some team claimed him off waivers.
If this is the end of the line for Ryan, it'll close out a remarkable career: 603 games over ten seasons despite not making his NHL debut until age 29.
As for Josh Brown, this should be the last time we see him in an Oilers uniform this season, barring injury. Brown has struggled in his limited time in the NHL this year, and the addition of John Klingberg pushes Brown farther down the blueline depth chart.
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With Ryan on waivers, fellow U of A alum Noah Philp will take on a full-time role as fourth-line centre, while Corey Perry, Kasperi Kapanen, and Jeff Skinner continue to rotate on and off his wings for the time being. If he clears waivers, Ryan will provide invaluable experience to the youngsters in Bakersfield.
On the blueline, Klingberg should slide into Troy Stecher's spot on the second and third pairs while Stecher settles in as the seventh defenceman. Philp and Klingberg will get extended auditions in these roles as GM Stan Bowman decides what to do at the trade deadline.
We'll learn whether Derek Ryan was claimed off waivers at noon MT tomorrow.
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