Five players hit NHL waivers including Oilers forward

Last night, NHL analyst Elliotte Friedman indicated that today would be a busy day on the NHL waiver wire, and his prediction came true.

There are multiple players who have hit the NHL waiver wire, and they now have 24 hours to clear or otherwise be claimed by another team. If they don't get claimed, they'll be sent to their respective AHL affiliate.

Among the players who are now up for grabs include Edmonton Oilers forward Noah Philp along with ex-Oilers defensemen Ethan Bear, now under contract with the New York Islanders.

Philp was never taken in the NHL Draft and, after completing his collegiate career with the University of Alberta, has carved out a professional path by signing a series of one-year contracts with the Oilers. So far this season, he has just three points (2G, 1A) in 15 games played.

Bear, who was taken by the Edmonton Oilers with the 124th overall pick in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, has since spent time with several organizations, including the Carolina Hurricanes, Washington Capitals and Vancouver Canucks. He has not appeared in a game this season and spent the entirety of last year playing in the American Hockey League with the Hershey Bears, Washington's affiliate.

He has 67 points (17G, 50A) in 275 NHL games.