Oilers have one cheap option left in free agency for tandem goaltender

We all know how quickly a team's goalie situation can change from game to game and series to series; we experienced this first hand in this past season's playoffs, with Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard both alternating starts because of either injury, or poor performances. Having a solid contingency plan between the pipes is just good, smart business.

Both of Skinner's and Pickard's contracts are set to expire at the end of next season and a clear replacement is not as yet apparent. Though there is still one year on both contracts, a seamless solution to net problem would be the preferred solution.

Free agent goalie Ilya Samsonov can be signed for one-year at about $1M AAV, an amount that suits the Oilers' cap restrictions nicely. Add this amount to Skinner's $2.6M AAV and Pickard's $1M, for a total AAV of $4.6, you have a cap hit in the goal position that makes sense economically. Should one goalie get injured, or performs poorly, you already have a seamless option.

Ilya Samsonov started 39 games last season and won 16, with a 2.82 GAA and a .891 SV$. His best year came when he started for the Leafs in 2022-23, when he played 42 games and won 27, with a GAA of 2.77 and a SV% of .902, numbers that fall within the average range for NHL goalies, but are attractive when you factor in the approximately $1M AAV. In fact, Ilya Samsonov out-performed both Skinner and Pickard in High Danger SV% and Mid-Range SV%.

In addition, Samsonov has experience playing in high-pressure markets and is well-suited for Edmonton's intense media and fan base. Where many goalies have faltered under the Toronto market frenzy, Samsonov actually excelled.

Given that no clear starter has as yet emerged for the Oilers, Samsonov's experience as both a starter and a 1A and 1B goaltender can only help the Oilers, by placing internal pressure on both Pickard and Skinner. Having depth in that position is just smart management.

It remains to be seen how Stan Bowman will approach Edmonton's goalie controversy. Options in both the free agency and trade markets are limited. Signing Samsonov to an affordable, short-term contract may be the GM's best option.