PRE-GAME REPORT: Oilers vs. Flyers
EDMONTON, AB – From 2026 with the injection of a few young people into the workforce.
And there’s a good chance both will play on the same line with another rookie on Saturday afternoon.
After huge Decembers in the AHL, forwards Quinn Hutson and Isaac Howard will look to showcase their growth with the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday when they open a new year at home at Rogers Place with an afternoon clash against the Philadelphia Flyers.
Based on Friday’s line combinations and head coach Kris Knoblauch’s comments after practice, Hutson and Howard are expected to line up on the flanks of Matt Savoie – another NHL rookie who could get a look at center between the two recent call-ups. Despite the trepidation of putting three relatively new faces to the NHL on a line together, coach Knoblauch feels more inclined than ever to let the trio of rookies do their job, given the momentum each of them has built in their games this season.
And you can guarantee that Hutson and Howard have renewed confidence.
“I think it’s important for me to give them opportunities to be successful, and whether it’s offensive zone starts or line matching or stuff like that just so they don’t get overwhelmed, there’s a lot of positive encouragement for them to make plays,” Knoblauch said.
“There will be some reminders of what they need to think about on the defensive side of the game, because I think those two coming from the American League, Hutson and Howard, are at the top of their game right now, and we want them to incorporate that into our game as much as possible.
“The NHL is different than the AHL, but they have a lot of confidence and we want to let them play their game.”
