A look at the Edmonton Oilers goaltending depth in the organization

2. The 1A option – Mikko Koskinen

Koskinen followed up his near-elite season in 2019-20 by disappointing last season, not even cracking the .900 mark in sv% and seeing his GAA increase by a measure of almost 0.5 points. That’s not a recipe for another contract.

There were rumors that teams were interested in trading for Koskinen, but no trade materialized, and it’s tough to trade him because Peter Chiarelli for some reason that escapes logic decided to give him a modified NTC where he submits a 15 team no-trade list.

That eliminates almost half the league right off the bat, which is not good. His only saving grace is he’s entering the last season of this terrible contract, so it’s almost done. He’s created a vacuum of playing time behind Mike Smith, which one of two players are candidates to fill. Remember his game against Vancouver last season where he was pulled after he allowed four goals on four shots? Against the Canucks. A rebuilding team. Ouch…..

If he fails again, expect the Oilers to loan him out to Europe or bury him in the AHL, with instructions to the Condors to have free reign to play him as much or as little as they like. Part of this was due to Mike Smith’s injury, but he continued to struggle with inconsistent play after Smith came back.

Koskinen must do better this season to both salvage his career as an Oiler and as an NHL player period. If he doesn’t, there’s going to be other guys taking his roster spot before he knows it – and at a much cheaper price.

3. The X factor – Alex Stalock

Alex Stalock rounds out the list of incumbents for the Oilers vying for a spot and is in a very tenuous spot. After all, it’s well known that the NHL will not repeat the existence of taxi squads like they did the previous season, and with Stuart Skinner well entrenched as the number three guy, Stalock will find himself back on the waiver wire in short order unless he gives Ken Holland a reason to keep him.

Luckily for him, the only obstacle in his way is Mikko Koskinen, and he struggled mightily so there’s a roster spot for the taking if he can grab it.

But if he doesn’t, I can’t see a place for Stalock on this team. Bakersfield will need the spot for actual prospects to develop, so they can’t send him down there. It’s feast or famine for Stalock – either he moves up to dethrone Koskinen at 1A in the lineup, or he’s out of town on the waiver wire, where I guarantee you he’ll get picked up by somebody.