The Edmonton Oilers made a big splash on Friday acquiring goaltender Tristan Jarry from the Pittsburgh Penguins. Also included in the move for the Oilers was 24 year old winger Samuel Poulin. In exchange, the club gave up goaltender Stuart Skinner and defenceman Brett Kulak as well as a 2029 second round draft pick.
General manager Stan Bowman made a subsequent move, shipping out a 2027 third round pick to the Nashville Predators for 25 year old defenceman Spencer Stastney. He was brought in to replace Kulak but also to add in some youth and more cost effective depth to the backend, given Stastney is set to become a restricted free agent on July 1st.
In Jarry, the team solidified their position between the pipes, an issue that was becoming inescapable and one that needed to be rectified. In Poulin, the team added a depth forward who has some NHL experience and upside, even if it is as a depth or bottom-line piece. In Stastney, the team hopes to have found a hidden gem, someone who can provide surplus value on a cheap RFA deal and potentially be a longterm piece on the blueline.
Storylines Oilers vs Penguins
The storylines practically write themselves at this point as Jarry is set to face off against his former team in an arena he is all too familiar with. On the flipside, Kulak will be facing his hometown and former club in the Oilers while Skinner is expected to get the start in net and will be in the same position.
However for the Penguins pair, it will be their debut with the new club, adding to the stakes even more given everything that will be going into the game for them. They will be two players that the Oilers fans will surely be keeping a close watch on with a long history with both in Oil Country.
Also it cannot be ignored that the Oilers are expected to be adding forward Quinn Hutson into the mix and he will make his season debut for the club. He was recalled Monday and is expected to inject some energy into the depth scoring for the team after a great start to his rookie year in the American Hockey League.
Players to watch
Tristan Jarry
It will be his first game against his former team, something that is truly a high stakes event especially given how soon the game is since the trade. Also with the stakes and the fact that Skinner was ran out of town and Jarry himself had caught the ire of Penguins fans, it should prove to be an exciting match all things considered.
Quinn Hutson
The rookie was recalled on Monday and if he sees game action this quickly, it will surely be a game to watch for the youngster. He has taken off this season, especially in recent games with 10 goals and six assists (16 points) in his last 10 games with the Condors. There may be an adjustment period but Bowman and Co. likely hope he can carry his momentum over quickly.
Vasili Podkolzin
The Russian winger Vasili Podkolzin has been on fire in recent games, scoring four goals and an assist for five points in his last six games. He is on pace for the best season of his career and has been a big boost of secondary scoring in his second season with the Oilers.
Leon Draisaitl
We are officially on game three of Leon Draisaitl sitting at 999 career points, needing only a goal or an assist to put him at the massive milestone of 1000 points. Could tonight be the night? Regardless, all eyes will be on the star forward as he looks to join an elite group in his almost sure fire hall of fame career.