The Edmonton Oilers have been energetic on the 2025 Commerce Deadline buying Jake Walman from the San Jose Sharks to bolster their defensive depth, in addition to making a transfer with the Boston Bruins to usher in Trent Frederic and Max Jones to bolster their ahead depth. Loads of followers have been hoping the Oilers would take a swing for a goaltender and enhance their depth between the pipes, however they refused to take action, operating into the postseason with a tandem of Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard. Nonetheless, now it looks like the group is ready to enhance their goaltending state of affairs this offseason when free company comes round.
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In a latest phase of Oilers Now, Bob Stauffer claimed he was positive that the group is trying to make a splash. Stauffer confidently acknowledged “I do know for a reality they’re gonna do this,” when discussing with Frank Seravalli if the Oilers would look to deal with their goaltending inconsistencies. Stauffer added, “I do count on Edmonton to have interaction in signing an organizational quantity three goalie that’s performed within the Nationwide Hockey League within the final couple of years.” If Stauffer’s report is correct, it appears as if the Oilers will proceed with Skinner as their starter and create some competitors for the backup spot on the Oilers, giving Pickard a little bit of a problem.
Which Goaltenders May Be Obtainable?
When looking at who could possibly be out there in free company at an inexpensive worth, the alternatives aren’t nice. There are fairly a number of unrestricted free-agent goaltenders that the Oilers may think about like Vitek Vanecek, Alex Georgiev, and Ville Husso, however none of them are assured upgrades on Pickard. One title that does stand out is 34-year-old Jake Allen, who at the moment performs for the New Jersey Devils backing up Jacob Markstrom and has had an extremely robust season posting a 2.56 goals-against-average (GAA) and a .913 save proportion (SV%) by way of 27 video games successful 12 of them and posting 4 shutouts.
His age and worth may each be a priority for the Oilers, however he’s an improve on Pickard and has confirmed all through his profession he could be trusted to assist his group win. By 456 profession video games, he has posted a 2.75 GAA and a .908 SV% successful 207 of them and posting 28 shutouts. He’s within the closing season of a two-year contract that has a $3.85 million cap hit, and it’s secure to imagine he may get a slight pay increase on his subsequent deal regardless of the place he finally ends up signing.
The Oilers may have a look at supply sheeting a restricted free-agent goaltender, however none of these choices are engaging both. One other respectable possibility could possibly be 37-year-old James Reimer, who has performed 15 video games this season and solely gained three with the Buffalo Sabres, posting a 3.00 GAA and a .897 SV%. It has been a little bit of a down season for him, however he has had a stable profession posting a 2.88 GAA and a .910 SV% by way of 516 video games successful 218 of them and including 30 shutouts. He can be a dangerous signing, however creating some inside competitors between him and Pickard could possibly be helpful for the Oilers’ goaltending depth.
Both approach, the Oilers bringing in one other goaltender can be an enormous assist for them heading into the 2025-26 season. The inconsistency from their present tandem has led to followers worrying about their probabilities within the playoffs this season, and it has pressured them to check out making an addition when the season is over, so hopefully, they’ll make a great signing and provides followers confidence that they’ll make a run for a Stanley Cup subsequent season, no matter what occurs this season.
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