Final option available for Oilers goalie trade at the deadline is realistic target

Over the past several weeks, many pundits and fans feel that the Oilers do not have enough in their goaltenders to go the distance to the Stanley Cup this year. Many feel that an upgrade is needed and Jake Allen may be the solution the Oilers are looking for.

The 34-year-old netminder who currently plays for the New Jersey Devils has been sharing that in tandem with Jacob Markstrom. With the devils teetering on falling out of a playoff spot and injuries to both Dougie Hamilton and a season ending injury for
Jack Hughes, there is a case for the Oilers to go after Allen.

Allen spent half of his career in the Western Conference when he played for the St Louis Blues and after that season he shifted to the east where he played for the Montreal Canadiens and now for the Devils.

He is in the final year of his two-year deal that was worth $3.85 million per season. As a pending unrestricted free agent, the Oilers could certainly offer a prospect and a high draft pick to get Allen's services.

This season is an absolute must win season for the Oilers as the team is built for a Stanley Cup run that still has goaltending question marks.

Even if this trade were to cost the Oilers either another first round or even a second round pick it's certainly worth the risk as a player like Allen would give the Oilers stability in nets and allow Skinner to get some much-needed rest and to refocus his mind.

The pressure is mounting in the Oilers organization to win and as that pressure mounts the team needs a goaltender that could handle that stress.

Allen would certainly fit the bill as he is a veteran player who has been in situations where he has carried the team on his back.

Now it will come down to general manager Stan Bowman if he feels goaltending is needed or he looks elsewhere and shores up another position in the lineup.