Does Edmonton Oilers need a new # 1 goalkeeper before the NHL trade deadline?

When it comes to the relationship between Edmonton Oilers fans and the team’s starting goal, there is always something.

Mikko Koskinen had a slow hand and allowed a goal on the first shot in the game often enough for it to be one thing. Cam Talbot was brilliant, but the coaching staff carried him out. Mike Smith often went walkabout and had control of “nuke” Laloosh on his passports.

Go into Stuart shining. Homegrown, prepared and developed by the organization and signed to an extreme value ($ 2.6 million annually), shines backstopped Edmonton to Game 7 in the Stanley Cup final last spring.

Skinner played well in the playoffs in 2024, starring in the semi -finals versus the Dallas stars and delivering solid goalkeeper in the last versus Florida Panthers.

However, consistency is a question. Some fans have had enough.

On Saturday, against Toronto Maple Leafs, a difficult first period for the whole team became far worse due to three pucks that found their way past rails. One was a screen, but two were “kevlar -rebounds” that you would like the goalkeeper to handle better.

Some fans believe in shining and believe the club should remain the course and solve other deadline problems. Others believe that other problems would be resolved immediately with an upgrade in the web.

Which is that? And is there an obvious solution?

Knoblauch’s oppression

All numbers five-to-five, via natural state trick

Oilers are improved step -by -step by suppressing goals against since Jay Woodcroft arrived as the main coach. In 2021-22, under Dave Tippett, Oilers allowed 2.77 GA-60 at five-to-five.

It’s not all coaching, and not necessarily all defensive improvements. One of the most important things that Kris Knoblauch and his staff changed upon arrival in the fall of 2023 is to use in the middle of the ice for outbreaks. Oilers are much better at rapid violation under this coaching staff.

Bottom line: Knoblauch is laser -focused on shots and measuring oppression when Edmonton defends. Part of it is quick to get the puck out of the zone.

Goalkeeper’s benefit

Oilers are better at suppressing violation of five-to-five now than before. The reasons include a stronger list, more mature influence players and the quality of the goal.

Does it apply to the team’s starting goals? Here is a look at the most implemented goalkeeper in the last five seasons with five-to-five savings percentage and rank among the 32 goalies who played most minutes each season.

All numbers five-to-five, via natural state trick

The experts tell us that five-to-five savings percentage is the best way to evaluate goalies, and Oilers have had two strong performance in the last five seasons.

Skinner’s rookie year stands out, but he has not been able to follow it up since. It should be noted that rails’ savings percentages of five-on-five (.923) ranked No. 11 among the 32 most active goalies during this period.

Find a replacement

There are two problems for general manager Stan Bowman as it relates to making a step in goal.

First, his tandem in the net has an incredibly low cap in total ($ 3.6 million for rails and backup Calvin Pickard), creating a much smaller pool of potential replacement talent for Edmonton.

If Bowman wants to acquire a new # 1 stopper, he must either find a superior option that makes similar dollars, or invest most of the available cap hidden for the deadline of a new # 1 goalkeeper.

It is a high order and Skinner’s performance since November 23 suggests that it is not the greatest priority for the team. As much as fans get frustrated with moments as the first period against Toronto on Saturday, Skinner’s total number suggests that he is the best available answer considering the circumstances.

Trade at the deadline?

The key to Bowman is finding someone better than shining to get the net. It is a difficult goal to identify, and if management trades shines, it can result in less effective games in the web.

There is some coincidence for goalkeeper service, especially in the playoffs. A recent (and painful) example of Edmonton -fans came in Second round Of the playoffs in 2023 against Vegas Golden Knights. Oilers had Laurent Brossoit resolved until he was injured. It set the stage for a fantastic race of success for Backup Adin Hill, who stopped 94 percent of Edmonton’s shots in walking 3-1-0 to finish the series.

Who could have predicted that result?

Many measuring experts do not like the term “goalkeepers are voodoo”, but it speaks to the wide range of possible results in a short series.

The best available

Since November 23, Skinner has been one of the best goalies in the league. Here are the 10 goalies with higher savings percentage in that time and their current CAP number:

All numbers five-to-five, via natural state trick

There are very few of these goaltenders that will be available on the deadline as their NHL team will press for the Stanley Cup. Meanwhile, Calgary Flames is not on a championship course, but enjoys a waters season from glorious Rookie Dustin Wolf. He doesn’t go anywhere.

Among the goalkeepers who may be available on the deadline, Jordan Binnington 31 and signed for two more seasons and Joey Daccord signed a new contract with Seattle Kraken in October.

The most attractive acquisition target for Edmonton at the deadline is perhaps Karel Vejmelka from Utah Hockey Club. His Cap hit ($ 2,725 million) is useful and he is unlimited this summer (meaning there is no concern to influence next year’s CAP hit).

He should be affordable, but Utah remains on the outskirts of the final wild-card site at this time. The team is a likely seller before March 7, but it is not guaranteed.

The biggest problem? There is no ideal option, no particular solution.

The bottom line

The coaching staff has effectively reduced the GA-60 over the past several years, and a brilliant target performance in the spring could put oilers over the top and make this franchise a Stanley Cup winner for the sixth time.

Shines outplayed more goalies in the playoffs in 2024, Including Sergei Bobrovsky In the final.

Some restless fans want action from Bowman, but all Edmonton fans will be spearing on management if the new Goaltender effort fails.

If Bowman wants to bring in a replacement for rails, he’s better right. It is an unnecessary risk to any manager and a poor use of assets based on Skinner’s performance last spring playoffs and his results since November 23.

(Photo: Jeff Curry / Imag- Pictures)