Could Arizona help the Edmonton Oilers move on from Mike Smith?

The Edmonton Oilers need to move on from goaltender Mike Smith, and one of his former teams could be the answer to making that happen.

During the 2021 season, the Edmonton Oilers enjoyed some exceptional performances from veteran goaltender Mike Smith, who appeared to turn back the years and even finished the season seventh in Vezina Trophy voting.

On the back of a 20-6-5 record, a 2.31 goals against average and an exceptional .923 save percentage in 31 games, the Oilers finished second in the temporary all-Canadian North Division and promptly offered Smith a two-year contract the following off-season.

The deal, which carries a $2.2 million cap hit, was a surprise to many considering the Kingston, Ontario native’s advanced age at the time of the signing, with Smith set to turn 41 years old before the deal expires after the 2022/23 season.

As was expected by many, Smith has been unable to recapture last year’s magic and has reverted closer to his usual level of performances, with a dismal 3.57 goals against average and a subpar .891 save percentage through 15 games this season – with Smith saving 7.9 goals LESS than the league average based on shots faced so far.

Locking up Smith for two more seasons was always going to be a gamble that the Oilers were unlikely to win and, with goaltending having been such an issue for the team in recent years, something needs to be done to help the team move forward.

Enter the Arizona Coyotes.

Smith enjoyed his best years, bar 2021, while playing out in the desert and there could be an ideal trade partner to work with if the Edmonton Oilers make the logical decision to part ways with Smith before next season.

The Coyotes are undergoing a long rebuilding process and are in the market to take on contracts beyond this season, with goaltender a position that the team is likely to continue fluctuating with over the next few years.

This season saw Carter Hutton brought in to be the team’s starter, but now that role is shared between Scott Wedgewood and Karel Vejmelka, with the former being an unrestricted free agent after this current season.

The Coyotes will need a goaltender in the summer, with Vejmelka likely signing an extension as an RFA, and a reunion with Smith could work for them – as cap space is something the team has in spades, and their need to win is still significantly lower than the majority of teams around the league as they look to acquire as many top young prospects as possible through the draft.

The Oilers may have to sweeten the deal with a draft pick, but being able to gain $2.2 million in cap space for next season, freeing up room to bring in a new goal

tender (potentially Matt Murray in a subsequent deal with the Ottawa Senators, involving some contract retention), would be valuable for general manager Ken Holland.

Edmonton Oilers fans will always have the pleasant memories of Smith’s 2021 campaign, but it’s time for the team to move forward with a new-look tandem between the pipes in 2022/23. Whether something happens ahead of the March 21st trade deadline is to be seen, with the potential for a trade still possible in the summer.