3 Goaltenders Oilers Might Purchase After Sluggish Begin From Present Tandem – The Hockey Writers – Edmonton Oilers

For the second straight season, The Edmonton Oilers have began slowly. They’re sitting at a 0-3-0 report by way of their first three video games, have struggled to search out a lot offensive manufacturing, and have had iffy goaltending to begin the marketing campaign. Whereas Oilers followers are drawing comparisons to final season and hoping it’ll be one other sluggish begin adopted by domination which led to a robust postseason, it’s all the time worrisome when your staff can’t get going immediately.

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Whereas there have been some positives with newcomers Jeff Skinner and Viktor Arvidsson each wanting strong, it appears as if a change between the pipes might be warranted. Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard have confirmed themselves to be reliable, however their sluggish begin might power the Oilers to gauge the commerce market and search for a brand new goalie. On this article, let’s check out three goaltenders the Oilers might realistically purchase.

John Gibson – Anaheim Geese

John Gibson has been concerned in commerce rumours for a number of seasons and continues to be linked to groups searching for goaltending depth. Whereas the Oilers must wait till the 2025 Commerce Deadline to make a deal work for him, Gibson is one goalie they need to take into account buying. His $6.4 million cap hit is steep, however bringing him in to stabilize the depth between the pipes might be a strong thought. All through his profession, he has posted a 2.90 goals-against-average (GAA) and a .910 save share (SV%) by way of 477 video games notching 193 wins and 24 shutouts. 

His lack of wins might concern Oilers followers, however he has been taking part in in entrance of a a lot weaker defensive staff within the Anaheim Geese all through his profession. Whereas the Oilers have been criticized for his or her lack of defensive depth previously, they nonetheless have a stronger blue line than the Geese. As of proper now, the Oilers might have $4.8 million in deadline cap house, that means they’d nonetheless have to maneuver $1.6 million out to carry Gibson in, however that shouldn’t be tough to determine.

Filip Gustavsson – Minnesota Wild

The second goaltender the Oilers might look into buying is Minnesota Wild’s Filip Gustavsson. With Jesper Wallstedt making an attempt to push by way of and change into a full-time member of the Wild’s NHL roster, it pushes Gustavsson down the depth chart. With a $3.75 million cap hit, the Oilers might match him into their roster with out having to maneuver cash out, making him a extra enticing choice. He has posted a 1.99 GAA and a .941 SV% by way of two video games this season. 

All through his profession, he has performed 113 video games posting a 2.71 GAA and a .913 SV% successful 53 video games and including six shutouts. At simply 26 years previous, Gustavsson is simply getting into the prime of his profession and might be the perfect candidate for the Oilers to look into buying. With an overabundance of goaltenders between the pipes, the Wild might also let him go for much less in a commerce, however it might nonetheless price a mid-round draft decide and a prospect to carry him in. 

Arturs Silovs or Kevin Lankinen – Vancouver Canucks

The ultimate goaltender the Oilers might take a look at is considered one of Arturs Silovs or Kevin Lankinen from the Vancouver Canucks. With Thatcher Demko proving to be their solidified beginning goaltender, considered one of them might discover themselves being traded as soon as he’s wholesome once more. Whereas each of them are strong between the pipes, considered one of them must be despatched to the American Hockey League (AHL) as soon as Demko is again. Lankinen is on a one-year deal price $875,000 whereas Silovs is on a two-year cope with an $850,000 cap hit. Each of them are extraordinarily reasonably priced and might be acquired now by the Oilers in the event that they deemed essential.

Lankinen performed one recreation this season posting a 1.85 GAA and a .935 SV%. All through his profession, he has performed 113 video games posting a 3.06 GAA and a .905SV%, successful 45, and including three shutouts. Silovs has gotten out to a sluggish begin this season and doesn’t have a lot of an NHL resume, nevertheless, his spectacular playoff efficiency with the Canucks final season makes him an attractive asset. By 10 playoff video games, he posted a .898 SV% with a 2.91 GAA. Whereas Silovs is youthful and is probably going somebody the Canucks will need to dangle onto, they could take into account shifting him for the suitable worth. Lankinen is the likelier choice of the 2, and he’s a confirmed goaltender who could solely price the Oilers a draft decide to herald.

Whereas the Oilers haven’t hit the panic button simply but, they must be contemplating making a transfer to enhance their goaltending. It has not been strong to begin the marketing campaign, which is an eerily related assertion to final season, and it might damage them in the event that they don’t repair it quickly. The goaltenders talked about above might all be strong acquisitions, however time will inform in the event that they select to trip it out with Skinner and Pickard, or in the event that they resolve to spend property on somebody new.

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