How Mike Smith and Duncan Keith decisions can change the 2022-23 Oilers’ season
Mike Smith, the first option for Oilers’ goal when trying to win it all, is 40 years old and still has 1 year left on his contract, with a cap hit of 2.2 million. He has already played in 16 NHL seasons (2006-2022) and in the 16 playoff games this season (lucky 16!) he had 8 wins, 6 losses and a sv% of .913%.
He was already a big doubt in everyone’s mind, if he could still perform and well… We all know some games he was great, and some other ones not so great. Without Mikko Koskinen, if he chooses to finish his contract, he would probably keep his main role in the team. The thing is, even he is thinking about retiring. As Jason Gregor said:
"“I’ve heard rumblings that Smith is considering retirement. His salary next season ($2.5m) is higher than his AAV ($2.2m) so if he does retire he won’t count against the cap. He fought back his emotions in his post-game presser last night. He’s an emotional person, so maybe it was simply the disappointment of losing, but the structure of his contract, having his sons attend post-game pressers at times this playoffs, his age and his emotion last night, make me think retirement is a legit possibility… He proved he can still compete and play well in the NHL this year, but does he want to do all the work in the off-season to get ready for next season? If he decides this is it for him, I expect he will tell Ken Holland before free agency. He wouldn’t leave the organization later in the summer when the UFA market has dried up. It is short-sighted to think replacing Smith will be easy. There are good goalies available, but how many will sign for the same $2.2m cap hit that Smith has? And are you certain they will be as good in the playoffs? Playoff success, even for top-end goalies, is far from a certainty. Ask the Flames.” “I’ve heard rumblings that Smith is considering retirement. His salary next season ($2.5m) is higher than his AAV ($2.2m) so if he does retire he won’t count against the cap. He fought back his emotions in his post-game presser last night. He’s an emotional person, so maybe it was simply the disappointment of losing, but the structure of his contract, having his sons attend post-game pressers at times this playoffs, his age and his emotion last night, make me think retirement is a legit possibility… He proved he can still compete and play well in the NHL this year, but does he want to do all the work in the off-season to get ready for next season? If he decides this is it for him, I expect he will tell Ken Holland before free agency. He wouldn’t leave the organization later in the summer when the UFA market has dried up. It is short-sighted to think replacing Smith will be easy. There are good goalies available, but how many will sign for the same $2.2m cap hit that Smith has? And are you certain they will be as good in the playoffs? Playoff success, even for top-end goalies, is far from a certainty. Ask the Flames.”"
And we all know the oilers would have only the 23-year-old Stuart Skinner if Smith decides to hand the skates. Skinner is great and I really hope to see him playing even more this season. He has the potential to be the future of Edmonton. But we are in the present, and he has a lot to develop as well. Even with Smith, the Oilers will be searching for a goalie in the free agency. Without him, we can be sure a new face will appear behind the Oilers’ helmet.
Elliotte Friedman said, in the latest 32 Thoughts podcast:
"“Smith had made it very clear publicly that he was thinking about (retirement), I think LTIR is a possibility for him, even if he decides not to officially retire. I hear he’s really banged up, really banged up.” “Smith had made it very clear publicly that he was thinking about (retirement), I think LTIR is a possibility for him, even if he decides not to officially retire. I hear he’s really banged up, really banged up.”"
The Oilers reportedly asked about Mike Smith decision until July, 1st. But he wasn’t the only one to be asked about it.