NHL RumorsNHL RumorsNHL Rumors
  • Rumors
  • NHL Trades
    • 2024-25 NHL Trade Tracker
    • Trade Articles
    • 2023-24 NHL Trade Tracker
  • Video
  • Teams
    • Atlantic Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
    • Metropolitan Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Dallas Stars
      • Minnesota Wild
      • Nashville Predators
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Utah Hockey Club
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • Pacific Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • About
    • Privacy Policy
    • About
    • Terms of Service
    • Contact
  • FAQ
Font ResizerAa
NHL RumorsNHL Rumors
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
© 2024 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
FeaturedNHL Rumors

NHL Rumors: Edmonton Oilers – Goaltenders and Depth

Chris Wassel 08/22/2020
3 Min Read
Mikko Koskinen has some trade value this upcoming April.
USA Today -- Mikko Koskinen
SHARE
A little patience on the Edmonton Oilers’ goalie search?

Mark Spector of Sportsnet:  It is obvious that Edmonton has to address their goaltending issues but patience could be a virtue here. Their goaltending was good enough to finish in the middle of the pack but Mike Smith, the backup, is 38. Does Ken Holland consider replacing that cog or does he wait a year?

Pittsburgh has a couple restricted free agent goaltenders in their mid 20’s in Tristan Jarry and Matt Murray. St. Louis has two goalies where one likely has to go. The problem is any money in has to go money-out. Ken Holland’s hands are tied literally.

He can hope to find the next Cam Talbot or just go through the draft. The draft, as we know, seems to take forever.

David Staples of the Edmonton Journal:  Again, it is clear that Edmonton fans want to replace Smith and honestly most in the media do as well. Who do you replace him with? It is the question which keeps getting asked.

The spending budget for Ken Holland is $4 million if he stretches things. Now, that would likely mean a corollary move somewhere. Would there need to be sweeteners involved? That remains a possibility too. Holland dangling a defenseman like Kris Russell or even a forward like Jesse Puljujarvi could help too.

Realistically, options are limited at best. Would a goalie want to come to Edmonton knowing that Koskinen will start around half the games at least? Consider, that Koskinen posted a solid .917 save percentage on a mediocre home team and this answer is not so crystal clear.

Is depth and the Superstars’ defense the real issue?

Daniel Nugent-Bowman of The Athletic:  Depth is a tender subject in the NHL and not always easy to address. Then, there is how the superstars of a team play a “two-way game”.

With the flat $81.5 million salary cap, Ken Holland is limited in adding depth but could find a few bottom-six forwards at a cheaper rate. That is about the only way Holland can add depth. That depth will have to excel at defense as his superstars improve and gain experience at the craft.

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Share 0
TAGGED:Cam TalbotEdmonton OilersJesse PuljujarviKris RussellMatt MurrayMike SmithMikko KoskinenNHL RumorsTristan Jarry

Offer Sheet Compensation

<$1.54M no comp
$1.54M – $2.34M: 3rd
$2.34M – $4.68M: 2nd
$4.68M – $7.02M: 1st, 3rd
$7.02M – $9.36M: 1st, 2nd, 3rd
$9.36M – $11.7M: 1st, 1st, 2nd, 3rd
$11.7M+: 1st, 1st, 1st, 1st,

2024-25 Critical Dates

June 1-7: NHL Scouting Combine (Buffalo, NY)
June 23rd: Last possible day for the Stanley Cup Final
June 27th-28th: 2025 NHL Draft
July 1st: Start of free agency

NHL Rumors to your inbox.

NHLrumors Logo

Categories

  • Rumors

Information

  • Advertise
  • FAQ
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Get breaking NHL News direct to your inbox.

© 2025 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.