Edmonton Oilers: Net Protectors

Capping off my projections are the Goaltenders for the Edmonton Oilers.

Three days ago I projected the Forward Line up and yesterday talked about the crowded back end. Unlike the other positions, the goaltending set up is pretty much set in stone. \

Cam Talbot

Cam Talbot enters the 2015-16 season with a new team and a new spot on the goaltending depth chart: Starting Goaltender. I wrote about Cam Talbot earlier this summer in our Oilers Player in review and I’ll try not to rehash what was said there too much. As it stands, Cam Talbot was a steal of a deal compared to the other acquisition of goaltenders. Martin Jones somehow went for a first rounder to San Jose, ditto for Robin Lehner (along with David Legwand) to the Buffalo Sabres. Best yet, the Oilers got the best available goalie on the market for the cheapest price (a second round pick, third round pick and swapped seventh round picks with the Rangers).

Now there are some questions with Talbot: Can he be an effective starter? What about playing behind the Oilers Defense and not the Rangers defense?

There are some great readings by Darcy Mcleod of becauseoilers.blogspot.com wrote in May about Talbot. Using the adjusted Save percentage facing a minimum of 950 shots and using the outliers of the 13-14 season and last season, Talbot was one of the few goalies to appear in the top fifteen in both years (last season he barely missed the top ten, finishing 11th.) Other goalies Mcleod who finished in the top fifteen both years? Holtby, Price and Rask.

In another adjusted save percentage, using the same amount of shots but also counting for the averages of shot quality, Talbot once again finished in the top fifteen (5th in 2013-14, 11th in 2014-15). The other goalies to finish top fifteen in both of those years using the new adjusted save percentages? Price and Quick.

That is some VERY good company that Talbot is in with.

But what about the Rangers Defense? It’s so much better than Edmontons.

Actually, Mcleod did even more research in that matter. Using four different categories, The Rangers were….average. They ranked 22nd in 5v5 shots against, just one spot higher than the poor Edmonton Oilers. In unblocked shot attempts, again, 22nd and one above the Oilers. They were 11th for scoring chances against while the Oilers were 26th. In 5v5 Danger High Scoring chances the Rangers ranked 14th, respectable but league average. However, when it came to 4v5 categories, the Rangers cleaned the floor, finishing first in every category.

Honestly, My little synopsis is not enough credit for the blog entries. You should really read them as they are very informative.

There’s a lot of excitement with Talbot in my eyes. I’m a huge fan of his and I’m almost confident that he will be a starting goalie. The only down side is the lack of contract extension talks until January due to the CBA rules. Still, I’d be very surprised if Talbot did not pan out.

Ben Scrivens

Ben Scrivens had the opportunity last year to be a number one goalie and he faltered. Badly. His stat line was down right ugly. Again, Mcleod did an analysis of comparing other goaltenders and when it came to Scrivens in past years, he did not put up great numbers save for one season. That one season? It was the one where he split the time with Los Angeles and Edmonton. Simply put, he had three bad or very bad years in the NHL and one good one. It looks like the good one was an exception and not the sign of things to come.

Which is too bad because I felt confident after 2013-14 that Scrivens could be that guy. He had flashes like in that 59 save shutout against San Jose.

I think at this point he’s strictly a backup but I’m not sure if he is going to be one with the Edmonton Oilers. It would seem management has soured on him, not that there hasn’t been any reason for it. He’s a good guy for the community and it’s too bad that he will not be a starter.

Anders Nilsson

Lowetide recently featured Nilsson in his RE: Player review series (which is a must read for any Oiler blog readers out there). I cannot say that I know too much about Nilsson: he played in the KHL last year and put up some decent numbers. I think at this point, people (myself included) might hope for a Karri Ramo like season with Nilsson where he can be a capable back up. The key with Nilsson was shortly after he was acquired, he was signed to a one way deal. He reportedly went to the KHL because he had no desire to play in the AHL. I think that desire continues in Edmonton. He’s going to battle with Scrivens for that backup spot and I would not be surprised at all if he came away victorious. Still, I find that he is an unknown commodity and there would be some skepticism as him and Talbot would combine for one of the least experience goaltending duos in the league.

Brossoit

Laurent Brossoit will be the undisputed number one goalie in Bakersfield this year. He had a stunning NHL debut in a stinker of a season where he stopped 51 shots of 53 attempts. With Richard Bachman taking his talents to Utica, this is all Brossoit. He will get amble playing time. I personally am rooting for him as he is a former Edmonton Oil King and was a part of the 2012 Memorial Cup Run. He will be a fan favorite when he makes it to the NHL. Best goaltending prospect and developing very nicely considering he was a 6th round pick with the Calgary Flames.

Conclusion

Unlike the Forwards or Defence, goaltending is practically set in stone. Talbot will be the starter and I do not think there will be any competition for that. The main competition will be in the back up position where Scrivens will be battling with Nilsson. I think whoever has the better training camp will end up being the back up and the other one will be dealt. Brossoit is the clear number one in the AHL and will have a heavier workload instead of splitting with Bachman.

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