Oilers GM's latest move puts goalie Stuart Skinner on notice
Photo credit: Imagn Images
With Stan Bowman's latest signing of free agent forward Jack Roslovic, the Oilers' GM has sent a clear and direct message to his team: That he wants to win now.
Oilers' general manager Stan Bowman has been busy in recent weeks, signing head coach Kris Knoblauch, and players Vasily Podkolzin, Connor McDavid, Jake Walman and Mattias Ekholm.
And of course, Jack Roslovic to a one-year, $1.5M deal.
Oilers' GM sends message to team by adding scoring depth to roster
If the Roslovic deal sends any message at all, it's that the Oilers can't wait around to see what happens with the current roster. Opportunity doesn't wait - and this year, neither will Edmonton. And given how poorly Stuart Skinner performed in the team's first game of the season, he may not be around, 'to see what happens'.
«We talked about it a couple of weeks ago - the type of player we'd look for around the trade deadline would be this type exactly,» GM Stan Bowman explained during an intermission interview. «He's available now, he's a free agent, and we can get him signed at a low amount. Instead of waiting to see what's available later, we think he could be a nice piece to our group right now.»
Rest assured that the GM is doing everything he can to secure an upgrade in goal. Connor McDavid's message to the team was equally urgent when he signed for much less than he's worth; Ekholm also, when he signed for only $4M. The team is on the same page where winning now is concerned.
«We like guys who have flexibility,» Bowman said. «He [Roslovic] can play wing or center and play with pace.»
Yet, there has been no flexibility in the goal position. The last two seasons Edmonton has struggled in net, getting sub-par performances from Skinner, who's allowed soft goal regularly. On Wednesday night against Calgary, he again let in a soft goal in the third period, the game-tying goal. The Oilers got a point, but ultimately lost the game.
The Oilers' goal this year has been to start the season strong, and go on a run. Giving up a 3 goal lead is not a good start; it's quite the opposite.
It is only one game, of course; but Stan Bowman may not have the luxury of patience in a season in which he may not wait to pull the trigger on a deal, if he thinks it will make the team better in the postseason.
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21 HOURS AGO | 574 ANSWERS Oilers GM's latest move puts goalie Stuart Skinner on notice Should Stan Bowman make every effort to get a new starting goalie asap? | ||
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