Edmonton Oilers have slim options to add elite goalie in offseason, trade is most likely
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Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard are both struggling greatly for the Oilers right now, but Edmonton will have very few upgrades available to make in free agency this offseason.
Concerns around the Oilers goaltending are reaching a fever pitch as Skinner's save percentage sits in the .870s through this losing stretch, showing that a real upgrade is desperately needed for next year.
Oilers will have very few options in free agency to improve goaltending
The easiest way for any team to address a positional need in the offseason is through free agency, but the Oilers won't have any solid options to pick up a starter this year. After Adin Hill re-signed in Vegas today, the thin list of free agent starting goalies got even thinner.
There's some quality options to upgrade on Calvin Pickard at the backup position - with Jake Allen and Alex Lyon being the best candidates - but there's no solid option to pick up a starter.
Frederik Andersen is the best goaltender on the board, but there are real concerns about the injury history on the 35 year old goalie. Andersen has posted great results, but has only played 29 games in the last 2 years due to injury. In his 508 game career, the veteran has an incredible .916 save percentage.
Oilers will have to turn to trade market to solve goaltending next season
Assuming the Oilers see Andersen as too risky with his age and injury history, they'll have to pursue an upgrade in net via trade. John Gibson is likely off the board, as the Oilers reportedly are concerned with his injuries and don't see him as an upgrade on Skinner.
The best goaltender on a non-playoff team at the moment is Ilya Sorokin of the New York Islanders. If the Islanders decide to sell this offseason, the Oilers should be calling to swing a deal for the 29 year old Russian goalie.
Sorokin is having a down season this year, but is still maintaining a .906 save percentage - still well nice league average. In his first three seasons behind quality Islanders teams, Sorokin's lowest save percentage was .918. If he becomes available, the Oilers need to be all over it.
The Oilers goaltending is currently ranking near the bottom of the NHL by a multitude of metrics. They need to pursue a true upgrade, and looking at the free agent class, it will have to come by a trade.
| POLL | ||
MARS 14 | 587 ANSWERS Edmonton Oilers have slim options to add elite goalie in offseason, trade is most likely Do you think the Oilers will trade for a goalie upgrade this offseason? | ||
| Yes | 456 | 77.7 % |
| No | 131 | 22.3 % |
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