NHL goalie expert names two best fits for Edmonton Oilers new starter
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The Oilers will be scoring everywhere to add a goalie this season, but the easiest avenue is always free agency - where there are two fits for Edmonton.
Looking for a proven starting goalie that would be capable of playoff starts, there's almost no obvious options in free agency - so the Oilers may have to get creative with trades, or taking a shot on a lesser known.
NHL goalie expert names Jake Allen and Anton Forsberg as two best goalie fits in free agency
NHL goalie specialist Kevin Woodley of ClearSight Analytics joined the Jason Gregor show recently for a deep dive into free agent goalies, and it really comes down to two options.
The goalie with the best track record in free agency is veteran goaltender Jake Allen, but he's also expected to take the biggest contract.
I think Jake Allen checks all those boxes. His overall adjusted save percentage for the year finished in top 15 in the National Hockey League. He's coming off a really good year behind a middling defensive team. There's a reason he's the top target.
When I look at Sleepers, there's a couple here. One is Anton Forsberg. I don't know how many people recall the knee injury that he sustained, I think it was both knees or both ligaments in one knee, or might have been both knees. Like it was brutal.
So he's a guy that may have more upside and may be available cheaper on the free agent market than a guy like Jake Allen.
- Kevin Woodley on Sports 1440
When I look at Sleepers, there's a couple here. One is Anton Forsberg. I don't know how many people recall the knee injury that he sustained, I think it was both knees or both ligaments in one knee, or might have been both knees. Like it was brutal.
So he's a guy that may have more upside and may be available cheaper on the free agent market than a guy like Jake Allen.
- Kevin Woodley on Sports 1440
By all metrics over a large sample size, Jake Allen is the most reliable goaltender available on the market. The problem is, he'll come in around $4M, and doesn't quite have the upside the Oilers are looking for.
However, Anton Forsberg is emerging more like an interesting option for the Oilers. Forsberg suffered a double MCL sprain in 2023 against the Oilers, and struggled mightily in the first half of last year - but began to turn it around in January.
In Forsberg's last 19 appearances of the season, his save percentage climbed to .910 behind a leaky Ottawa Senators defence. Prior to the injury, Forsberg was ranking as an up-and-coming goalie.
According to Statmuse, Anton Forsberg has had the 8th highest save percentage in the NHL after January 15th, with a minimum of 10 games played.
Forsberg should be signed for under $2M this offseason, which could be a higher-upside bet than Allen at $4M.
If the Oilers are looking for a value add to overperform expectations in net, Anton Forsberg could be a cheap and available addition for Edmonton this offseason.
| POLL | ||
JUIN 24 | 1119 ANSWERS NHL goalie expert names two best fits for Edmonton Oilers new starter Do you think the Oilers should sign Forsberg? | ||
| Yes | 625 | 55.9 % |
| No | 494 | 44.1 % |
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