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Oilers: 4 trade targets to solve goaltender woes

By Paul Taylor

Apr 17, 2023; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers head coach Jay Woodcroft during the first period against the Los Angeles Kings in game one of the first round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Walter Tychnowicz-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 17, 2023; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers head coach Jay Woodcroft during the first period against the Los Angeles Kings in game one of the first round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Walter Tychnowicz-USA TODAY Sports /
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Edmonton Oilers Jake Allen
Oct 21, 2023; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens goalie Jake Allen (34) looks at his helmet before putting it on his head against the Washington Capitals during the first period at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-USA TODAY Sports /

3) Jake Allen

Jake Allen was experiencing a renaissance of sorts to begin this season. Through five starts he had a 3-1-1 record, producing a .927 save percentage and 2.72 GAA in the process.

This was considerably better than last season, when Allen had the worst campaign of his NHL career with a 15-24-3 record in 41 starts, along with a .891 save percentage and 3.55 GAA. In fairness to him, he wasn’t helped by playing behind a poor defensive team in Montreal.

Unfortunately for the former St.Louis Blue, his excellent start to 2023-24 was spectacularly ruined in his last game, versus the Lightening. He allowed four goals on just nine shots, and was mercifully pulled after just 13:50 minutes of action.

Regardless, we’re not going to let one start dissuade us from believing the Oilers should consider a play for Allen. He is a talented and big goaltender, albeit he hasn’t always been consistent enough to be considered the main man between the pipes.

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At the same time, 2008 34th overall draft pick would be excellent as part of a tandem, which is what a lot of NHL teams do these days anyway. Certainly, the Oilers would still find this scenario a plus.

At the time of posting, Allen has compiled a 186-152-39 record in 380 career starts (401 appearances overall) over 10+ seasons. In that time, he has a .909 save percentage and 2.71 GAA, which would be make for a strong upgrade over what the Oilers have had thus far this season in goal.

Further, the 33-year-old has stepped up in the playoffs when needed. While he might only have a 11-12-0 record in 23 playoff starts (29 total games), he has produced a .924 save percentage and 2.06 GAA in the process.

Having said all this, in order to persuade the Canadians to trade Allen, the Oilers would likely need an enticing package, including a draft pick and/or a quality prospect. They would also probably need to offer someone from the current roster, given Allen’s cap hit of $3.85 million both this season and next.

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