Oilers' Management Targeting These Three NHL Goalies For Help
PUBLICATION
Graham Montgomery
October 25, 2023 (4:09 PM)
The Edmonton Oilers had already expressed interest in upgrading in goal prior to the season starting. After their abysmal start, the alarms are going off in net both literally and figuratively. As such, Ken Holland may be forced to make a move sooner rather than later. Here are a few options the team has.
Vladar has been involved in trade rumors for a little while now as Dustin Wolf is doing everything he can to force himself onto the Flames. He has played just two games so far this season and has an .842 save percentage to go along with his 1-1 record.
Vladar might not inspire the most confidence with those kinds of numbers, but since the Jets signed Connor Hellebuyck to a 7-year extension, there isn't really that much high end talent on the goalie market. The Oilers may have to pay a little extra to get a goalie from a division rival, but Vladar's value overall is at an all-time low right now.
The Sabres are in a transitional period for their goalies right now. With Craig Andersen retiring at the end of last season, the team now has two rookie goaltenders in Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and Devon Levi. Supporting the two is veteran goalie Eric Comrie as the team is currently running with three goalies.
Like Vladar, Comrie has played two games this season. While he also has a 1-1 record, he's posted a much better .923 save percentage and a stellar 2.05 goals against average. Both Levi and Luukkonen have had their struggles early on in their careers so Buffalo may be inclined to keep Comrie around as an insurance option, but it is tough to run with three goalies for an entire season.
Kahkonen has seemingly lost the starting job in San Jose to Makenzie Blackwood. He's put up an 0-2 record, .897 save percentage and a 3.60 goals against average for the league-worst Sharks so far this season. All things considered, those numbers could be a lot worse.
Like with Vladar, the Oilers would likely have to pay a little more to get a goalie from a division rival, but Kahkonen's value likely isn't particularly high right now. The Sharks are in full rebuild mode so just about anyone outside their rookies and prospects could be available. Kahkonen has posted a .920 save percentage against high-danger shots so far this season, something both Campbell and Skinner have struggled with mightily.
| POLL |
25 OCTOBRE | 416 ANSWERS Oilers' Management Targeting These Three NHL Goalies For Help Who should the Oilers trade for? |
| Dan Vladar | 102 | 24.5 % |
| Eric Comrie | 66 | 15.9 % |
| Kaapo Kahkonen | 118 | 28.4 % |
| Someone Else | 130 | 31.3 % |
| LIST OF POLLS |
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