EDMONTON – Goalies haven’t had the best time playing for the Edmonton Oilers lately.

Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard have had their moments of struggle (with Skinner struggling more than Pickard). Goaltending and defensive play are the backbone of a Stanley Cup Champion team.

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It’s true, the Oilers came close to winning it twice. But, close is fine when it comes to horseshoes and hand grenades - not hockey.

The Boston Bruins, New Jersey Devils, and Detroit Red Wings all have a prospect goaltender (or two) who could boost the Oilers' depth at the goalie position. Michael DiPietro, Nico Daws, Sebastian Cossa, and Trey Augustine have all been connected to the Oilers at one point or another.

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Of those options, Daws has the most NHL experience. However, this hasn’t stopped other hockey pundits from suggesting otherwise.

Allan Mitchell of The Athletic has identified DiPietro as a trade target for the Oilers. In a piece penned earlier in August, Mitchell makes the statement that DiPietro is “the best inexpensive goaltender available.”

With only three games of experience, it takes gusto to make that claim. Daws has better results in a much bigger sample size, while Cossa’s draft pedigree has earned him a longer leash than DiPietro.

The lack of NHL experience gives this writer pause. Given the other options available in Cossa and Daws, DiPietro should only be considered an option for the Oilers if they strike out elsewhere.

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