Oilers Fumbled Chance to Fix Goaltending Woes Two Years Ago
Ken Holland's draft record under the Edmonton Oilers is not without blemish. Some might see Philip Broberg as one of those missteps. The Swedish defender is presently in the AHL playing a good amount of minutes for the Bakersfield Condors.
While he hasn't been a "slam dunk" like other blueliners taken in that draft such as the Calder Winning Moritz Seider of the Detroit Red Wings. This pales in comparison to a choice made two years after.
In the 2021 NHL entry draft the Oilers traded away the 20th overall pick to the Minnesota Wild for the 22nd and 90th overall selections. The Oilers selected Xavier Bourgault and Luca Munzenberger with those picks - the Wild picked Jesper Wallstedt.
Jesper Wallstedt is a Top Goalie Prospect
Wallstedt is a Swedish goalie who has been dynamite since his draft year. His first season post draft (D+1) he played 22 games in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL). He posted a 1.98 goals against average (GAA) with a .918 save percentage (SV%).
Jesper Wallstedt playing in the NHL pre-season.
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Last year he transitioned to the North American game by playing for the Iowa Wild of the AHL. He played 38 games with a 2.68 GAA and a .908 SV%. Very respectable numbers for a 20-year old rookie AHL goalie. His record was 18-15-5.
This year he's on a roll, sporting a 6-2 record to start the season. His 2.01 GAA and .932 SV% place him sixth and fourth among all AHL goalies to have played at least five games this year. He already has two shutouts this season, surpassing the one shutout he had last year.
Wallstedt was named the AHL player of the week on November 6th. His strong play earned him a call up to be the team's third string goalie in Sweden while they participate in the Global Series.
Oilers Goaltending Situation
Stuart Skinner was excellent for the Oilers last year. The year before he played well in his 13-game stint with the team. After struggling early this year it seems like he's hitting his stride with excellent back-to-back games against the Seattle Kraken and New York Islanders.
Stuart Skinner.
Walter Tychnowicz-USA TODAY Sports Uploaded:
Recommended Articles
Another goalie to mention is Olivier Rodrigue. He had a good season last year with a 2.77 GAA & a .912 SV% across 29 games and a 14-14-1 record.
There are some positive signs with the Oilers goaltending situation. Jack Campbell spiralling in the AHL and Calvin Pickard having yet to get a game in since his call up, may be of concern to a few people.
Jack Campbell.
Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
The Oilers sure could use a goalie like Wallstedt right now, who appears poised to make an impact in the NHL very soon.
Visit the Striking Oil Podcast website
Subscribe to the Striking Oil Podcast YouTube Channel
Related: 3 Goalies Who Could Stop the Oilers Bleeding
Related: New Oilers Coach Splits Up Superstars
