The Edmonton Oilers Are About to Make a Horrible Trade Decision

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Ryan Hall
November 24, 2023 (12:11)

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Desperate times call for desperate measures, especially for an NHL organization that is currently floundering, especially when they were pegged to be a Stanley Cup favourite less than a year ago.

The Edmonton Oilers find themselves in this predicament as the team continues to struggle in the 2023-2024 season. After being defeated 6-3 by the Carolina Hurricanes, the team now holds a record of 5-12-1 through 18 games, placing them 30th out of 32 teams in the league.

The primary issue plaguing the Oilers is their goaltending, which has proven ineffective in stopping the puck. When a team lacks reliable goaltending, it virtually paralyzes the offence, forcing them to constantly play defensively to keep scores at a minimum.

Compounding the problem for the Oilers is their defensive core, which exacerbates the issue. General Manager Ken Holland is reportedly scouring the NHL for a new starting goaltender after the team decided to send beleaguered goaltender Jack Campbell to the Bakersfield Condors through waivers.

Despite ongoing efforts, no luck has come the Oilers' way, and other goaltenders are entering the rumour mill. One goalie, in particular, is Chicago Blackhawks goalie Petr Mrazek.

With ties to Ken Holland from their time together in the Detroit Red Wings organization, some believe that Mrazek could be an option for the Oilers, given his experience and past success.

However, the keyword here is "past," as Mrazek has been plagued with injuries over the past several years with the Carolina Hurricanes and the Toronto Maple Leafs. His performance has also diminished significantly, making it challenging for him to be the answer the Oilers are seeking.

Given the uncertainty in the goalie position, it is my opinion that a player like Mrazek is not the solution for the Oilers moving forward. They would be wise to explore other options and preserve their draft capital and prospects until they find a more suitable solution.