Edmonton Oilers willing to do 'whatever it takes' to acquire a goaltender: trade incoming?

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Ryan Hall
November 8, 2023 (11:34)

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As the Oilers continue to evaluate their performance in the first ten games of the season, they wonder what went wrong and what needs to be done to address their ongoing problems. One specific position remains a burning issue for the Oilers.

The signing of Jack Campbell has not panned out as expected. When General Manager Ken Holland decided to award him a five-year, $25 million contract, based on a few years of performance with the Maple Leafs, many believed it was the right move that would lead the Oilers to long-term playoff success.

However, this has not been the case, as Campbell continues to struggle into this season as he was sent down to the AHL yesterday. Additionally, the team extended Stuart Skinner to a three-year contract, and he has faced his share of difficulties, further complicating the Oilers' situation.

According to Elliotte Friedman of the '32 Thoughts' podcast, the Oilers are prepared to take any necessary steps, including trading a draft pick or a prospect, to secure a goaltender who meets their needs.

This issue is exacerbating the Oilers' problems, hindering their ability to score goals as they typically do, especially in bunches. A reliable goaltender would help protect their net.

Given that several other NHL teams are grappling with goaltending issues, such as the Toronto Maple Leafs with Ilya Samsonov, it would be interesting to learn which teams the Oilers are in discussions with to assess the trade market."