Edmonton’s goaltending situation certainly hasn’t been good this season with Stuart Skinner and now-demoted Jack Campbell combining for a 4.10 GAA and a .862 SV%, a big reason why the Oilers are now tied with San Jose for last in the NHL. Accordingly, there has been an expectation that a move will be made to shore up their netminders. In a recent 32 Thoughts podcast (audio link), Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman relayed that there were some in the league who thought Edmonton was nearing a deal to do just that on Wednesday. Clearly, that hasn’t come to fruition (yet, at least) but it would appear as if GM Ken Holland is trying to get something done on that front. But with the team in a money-in, money-out situation to stay cap-compliant, it’ll be easier said than done.
More from Edmonton:
- Speaking today on TSN 690 (audio link), TSN’s Darren Dreger indicated that prospect Xavier Bourgault is “a piece the Canadiens have coveted for a while”. The 21-year-old was the 22nd pick back in 2021 and is in his second season with AHL Bakersfield. A strong scorer in junior, Bourgault had a decent rookie campaign with 34 points in 62 games last season while he has four in seven contests so far this year. Montreal is one of the teams still carrying three goalies although Jake Allen might not work in their salary structure, extension talks have started with Samuel Montembeault, and Cayden Primeau isn’t the proven solution between the pipes that Edmonton should be looking for.
- TSN’s Ryan Rishaug relayed earlier today (Twitter link) that nothing was imminent with regards to possible coaching change. Jay Woodcroft is only in his second full season with the team and even with the ugly start this season, his teams have played to a .640 point percentage. Postmedia’s Robert Tychkowski notes that a change, if one is made, would give them their fifth bench boss in eight years with a good chunk of the core there for all of those moves. As a result, while making a move behind the bench might be the easiest lever to pull, recent history would suggest that it might not change a whole lot.
The Oilers have zero path to goaltending help. Nobody is taking on three years of Jack Campbell
Looking like a cold winter in Edmonton.
It’s always a cold winter here.
McDavid for Nylander
You can start your rebuild early
I’ve narrowed the Nylander down to William or Alexander. Probably Alexander because he’s a little younger than McDavid.
Woodcroft needs to grow a pair. He needs to starting benching people. Number one Evan Bouchard. He makes same mistakes again and again.
Holland screwed this team so bad.
hear me out here, Nashville sends saros a 2nd and Fabbro to Edmonton for Draisaitl, Skinner, and a 3rd
the offset here would be Saros for Draisaitl, Nashville takes on 5 Mil more cap space with Draisaitl and also takes Struggling Skinner, Edmonton Recoups by getting Saros and Fabbro to help on the Defensive end, thoughts here chat?
Both teams need a big change so why not look at this move as a start
That would make Nashville another Edmonton. A truly dependable goalie is more important than a goalscorer. In addition, Draisaitl only had 19 goals at EV last year.