Oilers General Manager Ken Holland Passes On Opportunity To Add Veteran Goalie For Free

The Edmonton Oilers biggest struggles this season have been in goal. That much is undeniable. Recently, general manager Ken Holland had a chance to pick up a veteran goalie for free, but it was confirmed today that he chose to pass on the opportunity.

Hurricanes Goaltender Raanta Clears Waivers, Avoids Oilers Claim

The Carolina Hurricanes are another team that has struggled to get NHL level goaltending this season. Yesterday, the team placed veteran goalie Antti Raanta on waivers for the purpose of sending him down to the AHL. Some thought that Ken Holland might be tempted to pick up the veteran given his team's struggles in goal, but Raanta really has not been any better this year so he elected to pass and Raanta cleared waivers.




The Hurricanes announced that Raanta has been assigned to the Chicago Wolves of the AHL following the news that he cleared waivers.

Ken Holland Determines Raanta Is Not An Upgrade On Campbell

Raanta's numbers have not been much better than those of the Oilers goaltenders this season. If anything, they've actually been worse. In 14 games this season, the 34-year-old has a goals-against-average of 3.61 and a brutal save percentage of .854. Jack Campbell, for reference, had a 4.50 goals-against-average and an .871 save percentage in five games before he was demoted to the AHL.

Unfortunately for Campbell, his stint in the AHL has not gone very well as he currently has a 4-5 record, a 3.46 goals-against-average and an .888 save percentage.



As such it seems like Raanta would be a wash compared to Campbell anyways. Since the player must stay on the NHL roster after being claimed on waivers, it makes sense that Ken Holland might not want to take a chance on the 34-year-old.

As seen on Oilers GM Holland had a chance to acquire veteran starting goalie and declined