4 Options Oilers Can Consider to Improve Goaltending Issues – Hockey Writers – Oilers Goaltending

Calvin Pickard should not be blamed for the Edmonton Oilers’ loss to the New Jersey Devils on Monday (Nov. 4). A quick look at the box score shows that they are out of contention, and it doesn’t mean you won’t win many games where you don’t manage a goal in regulation. That being said, it was nothing to write home about for the Oilers backup netminder.

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Pickard allowed three goals on just 16 shots for a .813 save percentage (SV%). Both the first and second goals were the kind of NHL goals he should be expected to save on, which has been the case with several he and Stuart Skinner have allowed this season.

With a less-than-stellar performance, Pickard now owns a 2.60 goals-against average (GAA) and .886 SV% in five starts this season. Those numbers are somewhat of an improvement over Skinner, who has a 3.31 GAA and .881 SV% in his eight starts. It’s not fair to blame the goaltending alone when a team is struggling, but one could legitimately argue that the Oilers would have three or four more wins earlier this season if they were getting the saves that NHL teams usually get.

While it’s not what management was hoping for given that they want to use their limited cap space to improve the blue line, they may need to look for other goaltending options. This has always been a risk in re-signing a mover in Pickard, and they seem to be paying the price. That said, here are four options they can look into to help fix this problem.

Matt Murray

A more interesting option (for cheap and affordable goals) would be Matt Murray of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Injuries have certainly affected what looked like an incredible career at first, but at age 30, the two-time Stanley Cup winner may still have a game left.

Murray appeared in just three games last season, but is back in good health for 2024-25. He played three games with the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League (AHL), posting a 2.70 GAA and .912 SV%. He is only on a one-year contract worth $875,000, making him an attractive option for the Oilers.

James Reimer

Another goaltender some mentioned joining the Oilers in free agency was James Reimer. The 36-year-old, who eventually signed with the Buffalo Sabers (since fired by the Anaheim Ducks), has been a solid tandem option throughout his 503-game NHL career.

Reimer’s numbers haven’t been great over the past two seasons, though his .904 SV% in 25 appearances with the Detroit Red Wings in 2023-24 is better than what the Oilers are getting from any of their picks right now. He is on a one-year, $1 million contract and will take nothing but a round pick.

Arvid Soderblom

The least likely option, if the Oilers choose to go that route, is the Chicago Blackhawks’ Arvid Soderblom. The 25-year-old has struggled in his 50 NHL games entering 2024-25, though he hasn’t had much of a chance playing behind a struggling Blackhawks roster.

It’s early, but Soderblom has looked exceptional through three starts this season, posting a 2.35 GAA and a .927 SV%. He could be relegated to third-string duties if regular backup Laurent Brossoit returns, and like others on this list, he shouldn’t take anything other than a late pick. He is in the final year of his $962,500 contract and will become a restricted free agent (RFA) at the end of the season.

Internal Option

The last, but perhaps not the worst option for the Oilers, is inside. They currently have two forwards who will be good starters in the AHL in Collin Delia and Olivier Rodrigue, one of whom may be capable of some NHL work. What it will come down to is if the Oilers choose experience or youth.

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If they choose experience, Delia is the guy. They chose to sign the 30-year-old, who has 52 games of NHL experience, to a one-year contract this past offseason as the organization’s depth. Rodrigue, on the other hand, is a very interesting prospect who already has two very promising AHL seasons under his belt at the age of 24. An argument could be made that he already deserved some NHL action before the 2024-25 season even. he started.

Patience is Running Out

While Oilers management wants to remain as patient as possible, time may be running out. They went through a similar pattern last season, and it cost them the division title, and a chance to play at home in the Stanley Cup Finals. They cannot afford to risk the same outcome again, and they need to act soon. The goals mentioned above are by no means the preferred options, but they could serve as a wake-up call to help Skinner get going.