Edmonton Oilers: Backup Goalie Should Be Priority

The Edmonton Oilers are still in the midst of building a playoff-ready team that can make a serious run. However, there is still plenty of work to be done.

Edmonton would be wise to add further insurance to the bottom-six and defence corps. However, they must also add a solid backup goaltender. This should actually be a priority, especially if the team plans to compete past April.

Edmonton Oilers

Even Talbot Needs Rest

Though Cam Talbot is among the NHL leaders when it comes to victories and games played, he can’t start every single game. Goaltenders need breaks every now and then, especially when it comes to back-to-back matchups.

If goaltenders are forced to start game after game with no relief, they will easily get worn out. In turn, they will be unable to compete or be on their top games.

By the same token, if the Oilers were to enter a playoff series with an exhausted Talbot, things would not go well between the pipes. But with a solid backup in net, the Oilers can give Talbot that rest and also have a stable option to turn to.

Names That Have Been Mentioned

Ben Bishop and Marc-Andre Fleury are just two names that have been mentioned as available goaltenders on the market. However, they should not go for the former. While Bishop could be a solid option and a go-to player between the pipes, Talbot needs confidence as a starter, not competition. Therefore, the Oilers need to make it clear that he is their #1 man.

Fleury is an aging veteran who is growing used to serving as a backup. Especially given Matt Murray’s growth, the 32-year-old would be more than capable of taking on a workload. Also, he would allow Talbot to grow and shine in the starter position.

Other options include Ondrej Pavelec and even Jaroslav Halak, but given their age, decline and overall struggles in net, I wouldn’t see them as names that come to mind before Fleury.