Top NHL insider reveals why Oilers did not make trade for a new goalie
Photo credit: Imagn Images
The Edmonton Oilers biggest roster weakness of goaltending remains in place as they head into a season where they must-win the Stanley Cup.
After knocking on the door but coming up short the last two seasons, the Oilers need to find a way to get over the hump - and goaltending is now the last position that hasn't been improved.
Top NHL insider reveals why Oilers have yet to make goalie move
Appearing on the Donnie and Dhali show, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman was asked directly why the Oilers didn't address their biggest weakness, and Friedman provided the same answer they've been giving for a while now.
»I think the Oilers have said, for the price it would take, and the salary that they would have to fit in, there was nothing that made sense. If you take a look at what was really available to them, they felt that there was nothing that made sense.
The Oilers will be open to anything that makes them better, but it has to make sense for them. Of all the conversations I had about Skinner and his future, the thing I kept hearing was there was nothing that made sense that was definitively better than him.»
- Elliotte Friedman
The Oilers will be open to anything that makes them better, but it has to make sense for them. Of all the conversations I had about Skinner and his future, the thing I kept hearing was there was nothing that made sense that was definitively better than him.»
- Elliotte Friedman
Essentially what this means for the Oilers is that they couldn't find an upgrade on their current tandem that would work with outgoing assets and their limited salary cap space. In the end, they still believe Stuart Skinner will be the one to lead them to a Cup.
The issue is that Skinner has now had three runs in the playoffs, and they've all had poor results. In a win-now window, the Oilers can't afford to allow backbreaking goals against from weak goaltending.
Connor McDavid said the team needs to reach a new level of «untouchable» this season, which will surely include the goaltending.
If there's not a major improvement this season with a new goalie coach, the Oilers need to look at additions for the crease before the trade deadline.
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 9 | 364 ANSWERS Top NHL insider reveals why Oilers did not make trade for a new goalie Do you think the Oilers need to upgrade their goaltending in trade this season? | ||
| Yes | 311 | 85.4 % |
| No | 53 | 14.6 % |
| List of polls | ||
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