Connor Clattenburg will make his NHL debut on the fourth line for the Edmonton Oilers in a Stanley Cup Final rematch against the Florida Panthers. The 20-year-old forward was called up from the AHL's Bakersfield Condors and replaces injured Noah Philp. The game closes out the Oilers' seven-game road trip at Amerant Bank Arena.
The Edmonton Oilers are set to conclude their seven-game road trip with a matchup against the Florida Panthers on Saturday at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida. This game serves as a rematch of the 2024 and 2025 Stanley Cup Finals, where the Panthers emerged as defending champions.
Connor Clattenburg, a 20-year-old forward from Arnprior, Ontario, earns his first NHL call-up after posting one goal, one assist, 59 penalty minutes, and a minus-5 rating in 15 games with the Bakersfield Condors this season. Drafted in the fifth round (160th overall) by the Oilers in the 2024 NHL Draft, the 6-foot-2, 205-pound forward impressed during preseason with his physical, energetic style. He served as captain for the OHL's Flint Firebirds last season, recording 16 goals, 19 assists, and 108 penalty minutes in 46 games.
Clattenburg replaces Noah Philp, who was placed on long-term injured reserve Friday with an upper-body injury. He will join David Tomasek and Mattias Janmark on the fourth line. "I've watched all their playoff games and I know they're a hard team to play, but I'm just going to bring what I can to hopefully get this team a win tonight," Clattenburg said.
Head coach Kris Knoblauch praised Clattenburg's competitiveness: "He understands that maybe he's not the fastest player or most skilled, but he's very competitive. And what most of this game's about is compete." Knoblauch added, "We just want the physicality, the hitting, getting in the forecheck and just playing that type of game."
Defenseman Jake Walman is day-to-day with a lower-body injury from blocking a shot. The Oilers revert to 12 forwards and six defensemen. Stuart Skinner will start in goal after Calvin Pickard's strong performance against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
The projected lineup includes:
- Top line: Matt Savoie - Connor McDavid - Jack Roslovic
- Second line: Vasily Podkolzin - Leon Draisaitl - Andrew Mangiapane
- Third line: Trent Frederic - Adam Henrique - Zach Hyman
- Fourth line: Connor Clattenburg - David Tomasek - Mattias Janmark
- Defense: Mattias Ekholm - Evan Bouchard, Darnell Nurse - Luca Regula, Brett Kulak - Connor Carrick
- Goaltenders: Stuart Skinner, Calvin Pickard
The Oilers recently lost 7-4 to the Washington Capitals and 2-1 in overtime to the Lightning.