NHL insider reveals reason why John Gibson shut down trade to Oilers
Photo credit: Perry Nelson - Imagn Images
Insider Elliotte Friedman recently commented on why Red Wings goalie John Gibson turned-down an Oilers' trade request.
Question of Stan Bowman's commitment to goalie trade
It's no secret that Oilers' GM Stan Bowman is fixed on using Skinner as the team's starting goalie; he's said so repeatedly since game one of the season, and his reluctance to replace him, despite his poor play, suggests as much.
SN's Ryan Rishaug joined Bob Staffer on OilersNOW earlier in October and said this about Edmonton's goalie-dilemma:
«Here's the situation as I see it: If a deal comes up that allows Stan Bowman to make a trade tomorrow, that he knows in his gut is going to be an upgrade in net and it involves moving from Stuart Skinner, it's done, it's done, no question. I don't think that deal is going to happen, I don't think there's a deal to be had. I don't think there would be a second's hesitation to do the deal if he knew he could improve that position tomorrow. Why would he hesitate?»
Except, on the surface, it appears as though Bowman is hesitating, even when a deal is available. And the fact that he's looking for a goalie to share the net with Skinner narrows the number of goalies willing to play in Edmonton.
It is true that Edmonton has found its game recently and is getting wins finally, and Skinner has played well in those wins. But we've been here before; a few good games, and then a bad goal and a loss, and so it goes.
Whether John Gibson is in fact an upgrade on Skinner is not really the issue for the purpose of this article. The issue, in my opinion, is Stan Bowman's iron-clad belief in Skinner, and his seeming reluctance to replace him, when all are calling for a trade.
Yet, in the end, Stan Bowman is doing his job and is being prudent about how he approaches the goal position. We can only trust that if the right deal comes along, he will make it for the sake of the team.
TRENDING NOW
