Heading into the trade deadline and beyond, what will the Oilers do about their goaltending situation?

March 21, 2022 by Kirk Morris

It’s that time of year again, where contenders separate themselves from the pretenders with deadline deals around the league…the sellers trying to get the most bang for their buck with assets going away, and the buyers trying to get that last minute addition that’ll put their team over the top.

With the trade deadline only a day away, the Edmonton Oilers still have a conundrum in one area…almost like a tug-o-war in the goaltending position. Mikko Koskinen as of late has been taking the reins as the starting tender, after Saturday’s tilt with the Devils with a 11-1-2 record in the last fourteen games for the Oilers.

Mike Smith made a return on Thursday’s match against Buffalo and wasn’t overly tested too much with a 6-1 victory for the home club. Meanwhile, Stuart Skinner continues his apprenticeship in the AHL, 13-3-4 on the year with a 0.922 save percentage and a 2.16 goals against average.

Will Ken Holland test the waters again before Monday’s 3pm EST trade deadline for a goalie..? In all likelihood, probably not. The word on the street from all the big insiders is that Edmonton is looking for a left-shot depth defenceman, and that’s it. Some of the Oiler fanbase faithful wouldn’t trust Old Dutch trading for a potato gun, let alone a player that might help with the postseason. After the botched acquisitions two years ago with Andreas Athanasiou and Mike Green for draft picks galore, most would be a little sheepish in trusting for what he could bring to the table again for on-ice results.

So what goes on from here if there’s no change in personnel after Monday’s deadline? Status quo is my guess-all depending on the performance of the existing duo of Koskinen and Smith in place. This next week’s run of games is a doozy, starting with a back-to-back against the best team in the league in the Colorado Avalanche and the struggling Dallas Stars. My best guess as far as Stuart Skinner being called up to be the third wheel in the goalie rotation is not gonna happen either, management will probably want him to keep getting games in on the farm rather than sitting idle.

Back to the Future

It’s probably very premature to scope out next years lineup already for goal, but it is one position that general manager Ken Holland seriously needs to address, and maybe, just maybe-it will finally be solved.

The dealing away of assets with promising young defencemen like Ethan Bear and Caleb Jones for other spare parts (Warren Foegele and Duncan Keith) instead of addressing the most important position on the team has been real damming. Holland did re-sign Mike Smith without even diving further into the market to cover all his bases…to a two year extension. Sure, the previous season was one for the books for the aging Smith, practically re-inventing himself in working with well coveted training guru Adam Francillia. But this year has been anything but memorable, injuries and poor performances hasn’t sat too well with the Oilers fanbase.

Still, Mikko Koskinen has been stepping up to the plate and earning the trust of the new coaching staff of Woodcroft and Manson. Right now with a record of 23-9-3, one has to think right now…would it be the ultra-safe play to re-signing Koskinen too? As the old saying goes, “its better the devil you know than you don’t know.” And right now, the devil is in the details. Management and players know how he fares, and as of today, Koskinen is having his best season as an Edmonton Oiler. Will history repeat again? Will Ken Holland re-sign Mikko Koskinen as like he did with Smith? Only time will tell-if the Oilers go and make a deep run in the postseason, it would definitely be in the cards, no doubt about it.

The Options That Lie Ahead

There is a few scenarios that can be mulled around, and it’s not out of the question for any to happen. First, Holland could opt to buy out Mike Smith in the offseason, and albeit, not a bad way to go. It would free up approximately $1.5 million, and that money could go towards signing a new goalie.

Secondly, Old Dutch could possibly not sign anyone, and keep Smith and Skinner as a tandem, and let Koskinen go to free agency. Granted, that all depends on the performance Smith brings for the rest of this year, and recency bias states, probably not the best option going forward. The third option is interesting-not signing Koskinen, buying out Smith, and looking for an outright replacement to fill the void to pair with Skinner.

There is some surprising names this coming offseason for unrestricted free agents, and even restricted free agent goalies, given the right pieces perhaps in a trade. Here’s list the Oilers pro scouting staff should definitely take a look at. All statistics are current up to March 20, 2022. Let’s go!

Top Targets

Ville Husso – St. Louis Blues (Age: 27/6’3″-209 lbs/15-5-4 record/2.34 Goals against average/0.920 Save %/2 shutouts)

Probably the main favourite of this years’ UFA group, Husso is having a heater season for the St. Louis Blues. It begs the question though, will he re-sign there? Will Doug Armstrong try to deal away the other part of the tandem in Jordan Binnington, who isn’t having the best of years this season. It’s an interesting situation to keep tabs on, no doubt about it. The biggest caveat on Husso right now is his small sample size for play in the NHL, but it could pay in spades for whoever reins in this sought after Swedish product. He’s a big body, and moves extremely well laterally. Was the next heir apparent to take the net in St. Louis before he got hurt. Up stepped Binnington, and the rest is history. Real interesting to see where he lands after the dust settles on the year.

Darcy Kuemper – Colorado Avalanche (31/6’5″-215/29-8-2/2.41/0.923/5 S0)

It’s been nothing short of a career year for Saskatoon native, and bar none at this juncture, the Avalanche are the odds on favourites to win this years’ Stanley Cup. He does have a past history with injury trouble, but when he’s 100% on his game, Kuemper is one of the best. Will Colorado re-sign him too?

Jack Campbell – Toronto Maple Leafs (30/6’3″-205/24-9-4/2.65/0.914/4 SO)

Jekyll and Hyde could be used to describe Jack Campbell’s season so far. On a torrid pace to be considered for the Vezina earlier this year, he has been nothing short of a screen door on a submarine after the all-star break. Confidence is the biggest mark against him, he’s had that throughout his career. But once again, if he’s feeling it-pretty tough to score against this grizzled tendy.

Jonathan Quick – Los Angeles Kings (36/6’1″-220/16-12-7/2.70/0.908/2 SO)

Ken Holland loves the pedigree vets, and this is one of them. Although Quick has one more year on his current contract at $5.8 million, his compatriot Cal Petersen has a new contract at $5 mil/per kicking in next season. So the question is, will Kings GM Rob Blake move the aging Quick for someone younger? Doubtful he moves to a divisional rival, but it is something to keep a definite eye on going forward.

Anton Forsberg – Ottawa Senators (29/6’3″-192/14-12-2/2.77/0.918/1 SO)

Another journeyman goalie having a stellar year, Forsberg’s play has been nothing short of awesome. With Matt Murray injured and being in and out of the lineup due to poor play, the Härnösand, Sweden native has stepped up big time. His puck tracking and lateral movement are finally really great, and he will garner a raise with career stats.

Sam Montembeault – Montreal Canadiens (25/6’3″-208/7-13-4/3.71/0.894/1 SO)

It’s been a rollercoaster ride for this guy this year. Started out the season in Sunrise, FL and winds up in La Belle Province from the waiver wire due to longtime goaltender Carey Price entering the leagues’ substance program following knee surgery. Add 1B goalie Jake Allen also winding up on the injury reserve list, Montembeault was literally entrusted with starting duties in front of a god awful defending Canadiens squad. With the recent coaching changes, his play has gone skyward. It is a bit of a risk betting on a young tender, but it would be foolish to say that he wouldn’t fit in tandem with Skinner. He has size, athletic ability, and technical prowess…and at 25 years old, Montembeault is only going to get better. He is a restricted free agent with arbitration rights, and with both Price and Allen ahead of him in the pecking order, pretty fair to say that brass in Montreal would like to get fair market return from nothing for this man.

Mackenzie Blackwood (25/6’4″-225/9-9-3/3.29/0.894/2 SO)

Another young tendy that really has the whole toolbox, Blackwood’s play has been in decline this season. There has been some scuttlebutt about perhaps a change in guard in New Jersey, and his vaccination status has been in question as well. He has one year left at $2.8 million, and they would probably want a goalie prospect in return for the trade, let alone more assets. If he is fully healthy and vaccinated, he can definitely hold his own. Someone for sure to keep an eye on.

The Big Maybes

James Reimer – San Jose Sharks (33/6’3″-205/15-13-5/2.82/0.916/1 SO)

Reimer is another vet that has been all over the map. At $2.25 million with one year left on his current contract, he’s a value get. The question is, will San Jose let him go for fair trade? With young up-and-comer Zach Sawchenko knocking on the door for NHL play, its only a matter of time before they have to make room for him. The biggest mark against Reimer is the ability to stay healthy. Still a great goalie to keep tabs on.

Charlie Lindgren – St. Louis Blues (28/6’2″-180/5-0-0/1.22/0.958(NHL)/18-4-1/2.38/0.918(AHL))

Another career minor leaguer, Lindgren is playing his way into show full time with stellar play on the farm. Solid fall back plan if the Blues management cannot keep Husso.

Scott Wedgewood – Arizona Coyotes (29/6’2″-205/10-12-2/3.16/0.911)

So much promise, technical ability…just can’t seem to get full time play until this season off the waiver wire with the Yotes. Would not be surprised if he re-signs in Tempe.

Alexandar Georgiev – New York Rangers (26/6’1″-178/8-9-2/3.14/0.892)

He’s not happy with the Blueshirts, neither is management with him…expect a parting of ways. Really interesting what the ask would be during the upcoming offseason. With a change of scenery, he just might be a good 1A/B tender. RFA with arbitration rights.

Braden Holtby – Dallas Stars (32/6’1″-215/10-10-1/2.78/0.913)

Another pending UFA, would not be surprised if he re-ups in Dallas. Stanley Cup winner, Vezina winner…pure pedigree. Age and injury is catching up with him quickly, unfortunately.

Spencer Martin – Vancouver Canucks (26/6’3″-191/1-0-2/1.59/0.958(NHL)/14-3-2/2.46/0.915(AHL))

Oiler fans will remember this cat, literally stood on his head with his only recall of the year when both Demko and Halak were both out of the lineup with Covid. Career minor leaguer, but has been lights out this season in the AHL. Wouldn’t be surprised if the Canucks offer him the backup role to Demko since DiPietro is still finding his game. Another one to watch.

Kevin Lankinen – Chicago Blackhawks (26/6’2″-185/3-8-4/3.51/0.889)

Just like Mikko Koskinen the year previous, Lankinen was a standout from the 2017 World Championships for Finland. So much potential to be had, a pending UFA, might need a change of scenery to get back into winning ways.

Alex Lyon – Carolina Hurricanes (29/6’1″-201/1-0-1/2.93/0.908(NHL)/15-6-3/2.13/0.912(AHL))

One more career minor leaguer that just can’t push through. Would be a great third-stringer and backup plan if the Oil run into injury problems.

The “Yeah Rights, Never Gonna Get Them” List

John Gibson – Anaheim Ducks (28/6’2″-210/17-19-9/3.14/0.906/1 SO)

It’s difficult to imagine, even fathom what kind of return new Ducks GM Pat Verbeek would even consider to deal away Gibson. It would have to be nothing short of massive for the haul going towards Anaheim. Perennial workhorse, technically sound…just don’t think it’ll happen unless Gibson himself wants out. Five more years at $6.4 million/per. Plus most Oilers fans think he’s overrated. What say you?

Ilya Samsonov – Washington Captials (25/6’3″/18-9-4/2.95/0.900/3 SO)

There was the odd rumour floating around that the Captials weren’t too happy with Samsonov, hence why they traded back for his counterpart, Vitek Vanecek from Seattle. Both are RFAs this offseason with arb rights…it would be interesting to see what happens. Don’t see either moving anywhere due to the lack of goalie prospects in the Caps’ cupboard. Something to ponder though.

Marc-André Fleury – Chicago Blackhawks (37/6’2″-185/19-20-5/2.90/0.909/4 SO)

Just don’t think about it. He’s more than likely going to retire. If not, he won’t be signing in Edmonton. Just let it GO.

Jeremy Swayman – Boston Bruins (23/6’3″-195/17-8-3/2.09/0.925/3 SO)

No way Don Sweeney deals this young prospect away. More than likely, Swayman will be a life-long Bruin, might even eclipse Rask’s career numbers if he stays healthy. This kid is the real deal-mobility, puck tracking, laterally sound. It’s good to dream though.

Carey Price – Montreal Canadiens (34/hasn’t played due to injury this season)

Another goalie that will more than likely never arrive in Edmonton. Even if he wants to move, who wants his cap hit? Yikes.

Connor Hellebuyck – Winnipeg Jets (28/6’4″-207/21-22-9/2.99/0.909/3 SO)

Nope. Just don’t see him getting moved. Another deal that would be gargantuan in order to get done. Just like Gibson, perennial stud. One has to wonder if he’ll stick around as well for a rebuild. Only time will tell.

In the End

At the end of the day, Ken Holland has to address the goaltending issue that’s plagued the Oilers since the departure of Cam Talbot. It’s been a rocky road, and it’s time to solidify the biggest missing piece of the puzzle, and it’s the one thing that hasn’t been consistent.

You could say to wait for Stuart Skinner, see how he performs in a regular role during the regular season, wait for Ilya Konovalov as well and see him play out in the show too. But to get this club to the next level-to be true blue contenders and perennial contenders at best, Holland needs an experienced, dependable netminder.

The window with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl to win now is open as it ever is. The fan base has been waiting for years for this to come to fruition, and now it’s here. It may cost a bunch to get a starter. Fans will probably see some prospects go out the door to accommodate new blood.

There will be pain, and hopefully its only short term. And as always, sometimes in order to make an omelette, you got to break some eggs.