Will the Edmonton Oilers Continue Shopping for a Goaltender?
The Edmonton Oilers sent Jack Campbell to the AHL and changed their coach in one week. What does that mean for their search for a goaltender?
The Edmonton Oilers were reportedly in the market for a goaltender after demoting Jack Campbell to their AHL affiliate in Bakersfield last week. That search could continue despite their coaching change on Sunday.
Sportsnet's Mark Spector reported Oilers GM Ken Holland was trying to find a goalie to give embattled coach Jay Woodcroft a chance to keep his job. The decision to replace Woodcroft with Kris Knoblauch was due in part to the lack of reasonable options in the trade market.
Before the coaching change, Spector's colleague Elliotte Friedman reported the Oilers had told clubs they weren't going to a “desperate, dumb deal” for a netminder. However, they couldn't find a trade partner on anything they would consider reasonable.
Speculation last week linked the Oilers to the St. Louis Blues' Jordan Binnington, the Montreal Canadiens' Jake Allen and the Nashville Predators' Juuse Saros. TSN's Ryan Rishaug suggested making a pitch for Nashville Predators prospect Yaroslav Askarov.
There was even a suggestion that the Oilers should offer up Leon Draisaitl and Warren Foegele to the Boston Bruins for a multi-player return with 2023 Vezina Trophy winner Linus Ullmark as the centerpiece.
None of those goaltenders appear to be available, given their value to their respective clubs. Most also have contracts with some form of no-trade protection.
Having opted instead to shake things up behind the bench, it appears the Oilers will stick with sophomore Stuart Skinner and call-up Calvin Pickard for now. Campbell could be recalled if his stint in the minors helps him regain his confidence.
However, if their current tandem can't get the job done and Campbell is still struggling, Holland could be forced back into the trade market.
