Edmonton Oilers: Will They Acquire a Goaltender

The Edmonton Oilers have a couple of days before they have to make some decisions at the trade deadline. One of the questions they must address is their goaltending situation in net.

Cam Talbot is this team’s starter. He has proven his ability and worth and keeps the Oilers in the game night in and night out. Despite starting an excessive amount of games, he has taken on the workload with a collectiveness of a veteran while playing like a player in his prime.

Edmonton Oilers

Edmonton tried to find him a stable backup goaltender in the offseason by signing Jonas Gustavsson. However, the veteran netminder struggled to great lengths, and didn’t fulfill his expectations. Therefore, the Oilers sent him to Bakersfield and decided to give Laurent Brossoit another chance between the pipes this season.

Though Brossoit looks better than he did last year, when he was called up before he was ready, he has struggled at times. He is not as acrobatic between the pipes, and sometimes lets in soft goals and finds himself out of position. With that being said, he seems to need more time to develop and gain confidence in himself as a starter for the Condors.

Talbot has confidence and ability to carry the team, but with the Oilers seriously making a run at the postseason, they should get a quality backup goaltender as they enter the throes of a playoff push.

The Oilers have the chance to trade for a quality backup goaltender at the trade deadline. One option could have been Ben Bishop; however, the Los Angeles Kings were reportedly the only team to make an offer for him, according to Steve Yzerman.

Overall, Edmonton does have a decent amount of options. The Oilers could inquire about the price of Marc-Andre Fleury, but he would have to waive his no-trade clause. Ondrej Pavelec and Jimmy Howard are two other names that are hitting the market, but even they have struggled greatly, and their full ability is unknown.

Right now, Edmonton needs a solid option as a backup plan. The Oilers must address that before March 1 for a legitimate run.