In early October, I predicted the Edmonton Oilers’ first recalls by position. Then all hell broke loose.
Travis Dermott didn’t need a recall; he made the club, played sparingly and was lost to waivers. Ben Gleason, another candidate I listed in the article, was traded in a minor-league deal. Winger Raphael Lavoie was claimed by the Vegas Golden Knights on waivers, reclaimed and claimed again without ever leaving the AHL.
Only Noah Philp from the list received a normal recall, a brief audition and then returned to the Bakersfield Condors for more seasoning.
The recall list is constantly changing during a regular season, as some players emerge and others fail to perform at expected levels.
What’s the recall list now?
So far
On Oct. 29, the Oilers recalled Philp and veteran winger Drake Caggiula, while also announcing Connor McDavid would miss two-to-three weeks with an injury. McDavid would play Nov. 6, meaning Philp and Caggiula were back in the AHL nine days after recall.
Josh Brown came up briefly and Caggiula received a second recall.
Edmonton’s only moves to bring players from the farm to play in the NHL have been related to injury or illness. Textbook behaviour, beyond the fact Philp is miles ahead of expectations after missing an entire year of hockey. His season is a bit of a wonder, more on that in a minute.
Changes lately
The prediction article had the main players covered, save for Caggiula and that Dermott made the NHL team over Josh Brown.
Earlier in the year, the talk of the Condors roster was Matt Savoie, a 20-year-old phenom acquired from the Buffalo Sabres in the Ryan McLeod trade over the summer.
I wrote about Savoie’s chances of being recalled early to the Oilers in early September, comparing his minor-league time to names from the past like Miro Satan (25 games) and Ryan Smyth (nine games) who spent little time in the AHL.
Savoie has now passed both Satan and Smyth in AHL games, and the Oilers have zero need for a skill winger on the NHL roster at this time. He remains (by far) the most interesting player on the AHL team. He is also developing quickly. Here’s a look at his splits so far this season for Savoie in the AHL:
| Games | Goals-Game | Points-Game | EV GF-GA |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1-10 |
0.3 |
0.6 |
9-5 (64 pct) |
|
11-20 |
0.1 |
0.5 |
5-4 (56 pct) |
|
21-26 |
0.67 |
1.17 |
6-1 (86 pct) |
|
Totals |
8 (.31) |
18 (.69) |
20-10 (67 pct) |
Numbers via NHL.com
Player progress can be both predictable and impressive, which is the case here. Savoie took a little time to get himself settled in, and injuries have upset the roster during the first 26 games of the season.
What we’re seeing is the kind of improvement that top-10 picks deliver when given playing time, quality linemates and the freedom to make mistakes while finding out what works. Savoie’s game is maturing already, as he loses some of the moves that worked in junior but have no use in pro hockey.
During the Satan and Smyth eras, Edmonton had plenty of young talent pushing veterans out. The current Oilers are veteran-laden and (as was proven last year with the handling of Philip Broberg) may be shy in bringing Savoie up for his first blush look at the world’s best league.
As of now, he’s ready for recall. The Oilers are deep enough on the wings to allow him to flourish for a long time before moving up to the NHL. Caggiula is the most likely next recall, but Savoie is officially knocking on the door.
Another one?
Among the least likely names to be making a move this early in the season is Russian winger Matvey Petrov. Not long ago, talk about his conditioning and seemingly indifferent performances had many wondering if he had stalled midway through the entry-level contract.
Petrov has turned it around quickly, and in a big way.
| Games | Goal-Game | Points-Game | EV GF-GA |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1-10 |
0.2 |
0.3 |
3-4 (49 pct) |
|
11-20 |
0.2 |
0.5 |
6-1 (86 pct) |
|
21-25 |
0.8 |
0.8 |
2-2 (50 pct) |
|
Total |
8 (.32) |
12 (.48) |
11-7 (61 pct) |
Numbers via NHL.com
Petrov’s spike coming around Game 20 is a nice match for Savoie, with the Russian’s goal scoring (six in his last seven games) a major story for the Condors this year. He’s scoring them by being in the right place at the right time, shooting the puck more (11 in the last six games after 22 in the first 19 games) and making good decisions with the puck.
Petrov is a substantial talent, under the radar on draft day due to the pandemic and playing in a secondary Russian league that season. He has NHL size and is showing NHL skill. He could see Edmonton in late 2025.
A goalie?
Goaltenders can toil in obscurity for a long time in the AHL. It’s a tradition going back to Johnny Bower, Les Binkley and even earlier.
Rodrigue is in his fifth season with the Condors, not quite halfway to Bower’s 11 years in the AHL with the Providence Reds and Cleveland Barons.
He has long since announced he was ready for an NHL look, finishing top 10 in league save percentages in 2022-23, 2023-24 and this season (he ranks No. 8 in 2024-25).
Bakersfield’s roster turnover has been giving coach Colin Chaulk and both goaltenders fits so far, but Rodrigue’s numbers continue to impress. He’s at a .920 save percentage as of Saturday, with consistent performances in each stanza (save for the Friday night game, No. 16 in his season):
| Games | Save Pct | GAA |
|---|---|---|
|
1-5 |
0.929 |
2.6 |
|
6-10 |
0.932 |
2.41 |
|
11-15 |
0.929 |
2.58 |
|
16 |
0.886 |
4.24 |
|
Total |
0.92 |
2.63 |
Numbers via NHL.com
The consistency shown here is impressive. Rodrigue’s five-game splits so far this year show remarkable steadiness and proves he can reset after a poor game.
On Friday night versus the Coachella Valley Firebirds, defencemen Josh Brown and Max Wanner weren’t available. Veteran Connor Carrick picked up a penalty each period, meaning the five remaining blue had to work overtime.
It wasn’t Rodrigue’s best game, but the .886 save percentage on the evening reflects good work (31 stops in 35 shots) on a tough night. Rodrigue had a lower save percentage in five of his previous 15 starts.
Consistency is vital for goaltenders, as they are the last line of defence. Rodrigue isn’t spiking. Even better, he’s playing a predictably excellent game in the AHL.
Current state of affairs
In any season, an NHL team will need to recall two or three defencemen, a centre and a couple of wingers.
The Oilers’ decisions so far this year are typical of a veteran team with hopes of winning the Stanley Cup. A recall of a trusted veteran who won’t make mistakes (like Caggiula) with Philp a surprise owing to injuries (Lane Pederson, James Hamblin) and his quality performance.
We are now reaching the point where Philp is both NHL-ready and enough of a possible roster solution to receive the call for a 20-game audition. Bowman was clearly impressed with him, or the recall would have gone to another. Fans should expect that move early in the new year, likely with the next injury to centre or winger.
Savoie is a different story. Players with his pedigree don’t spend much time in the minors before they are elevated to the NHL. Savoie’s recent performances suggest that first recall could come in the next few weeks. The Oilers roster is stacked with veteran wingers, though, so that recall may have to wait. The young man is blocked, even if an injury hits. He should be considered ahead of Caggiula, but that kind of move would be out of character for the Oilers in recent seasons.
Petrov will need to have a strong AHL season and could push for work in 2025-26. Rodrigue is overqualified for AHL starting duties, and the one thing he needs to prove (consistent quality) has long since been established.
Here’s the current recall order based on management’s established trends:
1. RH defence Josh Brown
2. W Drake Caggiula
3. RH centre Noah Philp
4. RH centre Lane Pederson
5. LW/C James Hamblin
6. RH defence Phil Kemp
7. G Olivier Rodrigue
8. RW Matt Savoie
9. RH LW Matvey Petrov
Based on merit, Savoie and Philp should be next up in the queue, with only Philp likely to be recalled soon. Brown is an instant recall on injury, Kemp’s strong recent play might get him consideration as well.
Pederson and Hamblin have had injury issues and are quality centres at this level who can mentor the young wingers. Both would be considered for recall if there’s a need and they remain healthy.
Rodrigue is in the AHL starter’s waiting room. There are cobwebs in the corner and the smell of stale coffee hanging in the air. It might be the toughest job in hockey.
The Oilers have some real talent in the minors, all waiting for that chance to shine in the NHL. Expect Philp’s second recall soon. He won’t be back.
(Photo of Josh Brown: Perry Nelson / Imagn Images)
