Edmonton a possible landing-spot for unsigned free agent goalie

And there is good reason why Samsonov's name continues to be associated with the Oilers, not only because he's a good fit, but primarily because he is a proven NHL starting goalie the Oilers could use.

Wherever Ilya Samsonov has played he's won. A veteran of four NHL teams, Ilya has posted an astonishing record of 118-48-25 over 200 regular season starts, and a 2.77 GAA and .902 SV%.

Perhaps Samsonov's most appealing aspect, given his ability to win games, is his age; he is only 28-years old, and has arguably not reached his prime yet. On the right team, he could be a stand-out, which he's shown to be in flashes, mainly in his 3-years with the Leafs.

The only real caveat with Samsonov has been his inconsistency, however. Samsonov himself has acknowledged that his struggles are often more mental than physical or technical. There have been instances where he has gotten 'into his own head' and struggled to maintain a positive mindset.

A fresh start on a team with a new head coach, and a winning environment, such as the one the Oilers have developed of late, could just be what the former-22nd overall pick needs.

The Oilers have faced some inconsistencies of their own in the goal position, and there's a perceived need for an upgrade, or at least increased competition for the role behind Stuart Skinner.

Samsonov's presence could motivate Skinner to perform better, as Samsonov has shown flashes of being better than both Skinner and current backup Calvin Pickard in certain areas, like high-danger and mid-range save %, according to NHL Edge data.

A PTO allows the Oilers to evaluate Samsonov in a low-risk environment without a significant financial commitment. If he performs well during the preseason, he could earn a contract, potentially even a two-way deal, providing a flexible option for the team.