Price to trade for goalie upgrade could be surprisingly low for Edmonton Oilers
The Oilers could be investigating trades to acquire a goaltender this season, and based off previous goalie trades, the price to acquire an upgrade could be very cheap for Edmonton - maybe as little as a 4th round pick.
This year's Oilers are an incredibly strong offensive and defensive team, making their very average goaltending stick out - leading analysts to believe GM Stan Bowman would consider a goalie trade.
Edmonton Oilers goalie trade could cost as little as mid-round draft pick
On today's OilersNation Everyday Podcast, hosts raised the rumours linking Utah Hockey Club's Karel Vejmelka to the Oilers. Given recent goalie trades in the NHL, it's possible he could go for a mid round draft pick.
Trading for Vejmelka may cost more than Jake Allen, but maybe not by a significant margin. Allen was 33 years old and a longtime tandem goalie, struggling with a .892 save percentage.
Vejmelka is much younger at 28 years old, and is more of a starting goalie than Allen was at the time of his trade. Vejmelka is having a great season with a .911 save percentage and ranking top 10 in Goals Saved Above Expected, but also had a poor .897 last year.
Utah's goaltender would be a perfect option for the Oilers to add in trade, if they can be persuaded to move him. Currently 6th in the standings in the Central division and only a 9.7% chance of making the playoffs according to MoneyPuck, they should be seeking at the deadline.
As a pending free agent making only $2.725M, it would be in Utah Hockey Club's interest to trade Vejmelka as a rental. Perhaps if the Oilers increase the price, up to a second or third round pick, they could get Vejmelka with retained salary too.
The Oilers are an all-around elite team with very average goaltending, that often leads to the Oilers having the second best goalie in the game. Maybe this is the year they trade for a true second option, and try to strengthen their roster's biggest weakness.
