Oilers Should Target Cheap Goalie From Utah Hockey Club in Trade
The Edmonton Oilers still might need to add another goaltender this season, and one candidate the team should target is Karel Vejmelka from the Utah Hockey Club.
Calvin Pickard struggled significantly in his last time out with the Oilers, once again raising the debate that the team needs more insurance in the crease.
Karel Vejmelka from Utah Hockey Club should be trade target for Edmonton Oilers
Earlier this season, Oilers analyst Alan Mitchell reported that Edmonton could see a need to add another goalie for playoff insurance, and suggested a cheap veteran option like Jonathan Quick.
- Alan Mitchell, the Athletic
While Jonathan Quick may be an option, and Ducks goalie John Gibson may be as well - Oilers fans are looking at the availability of Vejmelka from Utah.
The 28 year old Czech goaltender is having a fantastic season with Utah after some promising years with the Arizona Coyotes. Vejmelka has a .916 save percentage in 26 games this season, and also is ranking near top in the league in Goals Saved Above Expected.
Vejmelka is a free agent at the end of this season, and is being paid only $2.725M in salary this year, making him a perfect rental.
The only question will be if Utah feels comfortable enough trading a quality young goalie like Vejmelka, instead of signing him. Behind their starter, Utah does have decent goalie options in the wings like Connor Ingram and Jaxson Stauber.
Oilers fans on social media think that Vejmelka would be a perfect fit to address the team's biggest weakness heading into a critical playoff run.
If Utah decides to trade Vejmelka, the Oilers should be fully in on him as the best possible rental option for the playoffs. With a Skinner and Vejmelka tandem, Edmonton would be fully guarded against any disastrous injuries, or Skinner losing his game.
