Major - Ken Holland's looking to bring in a familiar face in goal for the Oilers
Oilers, known for their strong offense, understand they need better goaltending and defense. After changing coaches, they're checking how Kris Knoblauch does before making big trades. Shayna Goldman from The Athletic thinks GM Ken Holland might consider a familiar goalie to help.
Familiar Faces on the Radar: Petr Mrazek as a Good Option
Petr Mrazek from the Chicago Blackhawks, a goalie Ken Holland knows, could be a good choice. He's seen as a low-risk option that fits the budget. Goldman says money issues might push the Oilers to make a safer move, and Mrazek, with his history, could be a good fit.
In Edmonton, things are changing with Jeff Jackson taking more control. This might mean Holland's contacts aren't as important, so the Oilers are looking at other goalie options.
Trade Hurdles: Campbell's Contract and Goalie Issues
Getting a goalie is tricky for the Oilers because of Jack Campbell's contract. He's in the AHL, and other teams might not want his deal. The Oilers might have to give up a good draft pick or pay some of Campbell's contract to make a trade happen.
«Cap constraints may force Edmonton into a more low-key move, whether it's any of the aforementioned options or someone like Petr Mrazek with whom general manager Ken Holland has some experience. Then again, with the transition of power happening at the top, Holland's connections may no longer be as much of a priority as Jeff Jackson's are.»
The Oilers feel pressure to get a good goalie now for stars McDavid and Draisaitl. Goldman thinks they might go for a more reliable option, even if it costs more. Goalies like Sam Montembeault and Karel Vejmelka are mentioned, but the Oilers might need to fix their defense too.
The Oilers are thinking about getting Jordan Binnington from the St. Louis Blues before the trade deadline. He's won a Stanley Cup, but getting him might be expensive.
«Considering the pressure to maximize the prime years of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl 's careers (and their respective contract situations), management could look for a little more security than those options would provide — obviously at a higher cost. That's why pursuing someone like Sam Montembeault , who has performed well behind a bad defensive team, could be of intrigue. Karel Vejmelka , if the Coyotes were willing to deal him, would be an upgrade, too. Montembeault and Vejmelka are almost certainly out of the Oilers' price range if management opts to make upgrades on defense as well, and that also has to be a consideration.»
Crossroads Decisions: Juggling Now and Later for the Oilers
In the end, the Oilers have tough decisions to make. They need a better goalie now but also want to keep their top draft pick for the future. These choices will shape how competitive they are in the NHL.
| POLL | ||
November 29 | 138 answers Major - Ken Holland's looking to bring in a familiar face in goal for the Oilers Should the Oilers acquire this goalie? | ||
| Yes | 62 | 44.9 % |
| No, stay away | 76 | 55.1 % |
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