The Edmonton Oilers' goaltending is the biggest area of roster need this offseason, and one way they will be improving is with an overhaul of their coaching system to build a goalie department.
Oilers insiders have hinted previously that Edmonton has lagged behind other NHL teams in goalie development by only having one coach. Many other teams employ multiple people at multiple levels of the organization, but the Oilers just had good old' Dustin Schwartz for 10 years.
Edmonton Oilers making major overhaul with goalie department this offseason
Glen Gulutzan and Paul Coffey won't be on the bench next year, while goalie coach Dustin Schwartz and skating and skills coach David Pelletier were not re-signed. I expect the Oilers to announce their new staff this week.
- Jason Gregor
Along with replacing Schwartz, the Oilers will take the advice of the rest of the NH Land build up a goalie department.
Former Fox Sports analyst Evan Renarts has reported that the Oilers will in fact add a goalie department, with a primary focus of getting the best out of their young starter Stuart Skinner - and developing more goalie talent in the organization.
Finally the Oilers are taking this step to modernize their approach in net. Skinner still has some potential with his experience and youth at just 26 years old. If new coaches, voices, perspectives, and techniques can improve his play, the Oilers need to invest in it.
This approach is good news for further shaping the Oilers into a world-class sports team, and a true cup contender with a complete roster - all the way back to the crease.