Edmonton Oilers Talk: Should the Oilers Be in on On of these Slumping Goalies?

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Edmonton Sun

Warren Foegele for Ethan Bear trade helping both teams

Bear, 24, who was traded, in part because the Oilers wanted fellow right-shot D Evan Bouchard to play and hopefully lots. Foegele, 25, was traded, in part because the two sides couldn’t agree on a new deal, also because they were deep on the wing.
Bear is playing 18 minutes a game for the Hurricanes with three assists in eight games, a plus-5 rating, often playing with Carolina’s eminent defenceman Jaccob Slavin. On a team that is 8-0.
Foegele, who thrives along the boards and in the crease, is playing 13 minutes a game for the Oilers. He has two goals and two assists in seven games, including his first-ever NHL power-play score in Vancouver and is minus-1. On a team that is 6-1.
The Oilers needed a third-line with an identity, a roll-your-sleeves-up fore-checking line to go with their rush attack and thought Foegele could book-end Zack Kassian with Derek Ryan in the middle.
The Hurricanes knew they weren’t resigning their free-agent right-shot D Hamilton and wanted another right-shot guy back; different styles but they wanted a young blue liner who could eat up minutes, and that’s Bear, who found himself short a chair when the music stopped.
When they knew Larsson wasn’t signing with them and was going to Seattle, that set off a chain reaction. They went to Plan B and signed another shutdown type Cody Ceci to a four-year contract, outbidding about 10 teams, many only offering three years for the right-shot defenceman.
They circled back and also resigned another right-shot D Tyson Barrie, for their power play after 48 points last season.
There was no room for Bear, if they wanted Bouchard to play.
Plus, after seeing Winnipeg’s third line in the playoffs, helmed by Adam Lowry, they firmly realized they needed a big body on their third, which is where Foegele came in.

BLH’s Thoughts: You know what’s been nice, the fanbase on Twitter hasn’t been at each other’s throats with regards to this trade. For the most part, everybody is happy Ethan is doing well in Raleigh, and everybody is glad that Foegele is on form with the Oilers.

I reckon both of these clubs might be conference finalists in the 2022 playoffs… Maybe they’ll even meet in final? Wouldn’t that be something? Ken Holland’s teams have a decent record against those from Carolina in the Cup final…

The Hockey Writers

Oilers Should Target Korpisalo or Khudobin in a Trade

Koskinen has held it down to this point, but if things go off the rails, general manager Ken Holland should act swiftly.
Despite a mediocre regular-season career, Korpisalo was excellent in the one playoffs he took part in. He was integral in knocking off the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2020 qualifying round and kept the Blue Jackets in every game in their 4-1 series loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning. His goals-against average (GAA) and save percentage (SV%) were astronomically better than any regular-season, recording a 1.90 GAA and .941 SV%. The Blue Jackets will be able to get assets back for Korpisalo, so they should consider trading him as soon as the opportunity arises.
With a stronger team in front of him, I think Korpisalo could flourish in Edmonton.
In a tougher and more competitive postseason, the big save is important, and Koskinen has shown he can’t do that.
Holtby has come in and taken the No. 1 job from Khudobin, starting six of eight games so far. Holtby also has a .926 SV% this season, while Khudobin has a .889.
Khudobin has very respectable career numbers, with a 2.47 GAA and a .917 SV%. He has never been a team’s first choice, but he can fill the no. 1 role very effectively if the starter is injured or not performing.

BLH’s Thoughts: So, it’s looking like the time has come for the 35 year old Khudobin. Why would anybody trade for a guy who’s putting up those kinds of numbers? “Hope” trades are very risky and how often do they turn out good for the team acquiring the questionable player?

As for Korpisalo, he’s also having a shit year plus he knows the writing is one the wall with the number of really good netminding prospects the Blue Jackets having coming through their system.

It would be nice to see what Koskinen could do in a normal year. Not a season that was thrown off by him having to start 13 games in a row or a year that was paused and then re-started in a bubble…

Mikko is a top-ten goalie right now and if that’s to continue, I don’t know if it would be in Edmonton’s best interests to trade him. Smith, no the other hand, maybe he’s the fella that gets moved ultimately. But even then, his presence in the locker room and on the ice is one of great importance to this Oilers team.

Spector’s Hockey

SPORTSNET: On Friday, Rory Boylen reported Vladimir Tarasenko still wants a trade despite a hot start to this season by himself and the club.

CALGARY HOCKEY NOW: Steve Macfarlane cast doubt on recent speculation linking the Flames to Buffalo Sabres center Jack Eichel. He points out the club’s addition last season of head coach Darryl Sutter indicates rebuilding is not their plan.

OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch recently reported Senators GM Pierre Dorion is still looking around for help at forward. He has assets with 11 picks in next year’s draft if he wants to do something.

BLH’s Thoughts: One has to wonder if the Flames would send a package around Sean Monohan to Buffalo for Eichel. The only problem with ANY team bringing in the talented American is he’s not going to be helping for another few months as he still needs to have that surgery on his neck… That’s why I think Vegas would be throwing the season if they traded for Eichel considering how many pieces they’d need to give Buffalo for him.

My feeling is that teams will wait until it’s clear their seasons are probably lost and then get into the market for Eichel. Basically setting the stage for next season…

OR!

A Cup contender with a shit ton of depth in terms of prospects, lots of cap room (now and in the future), a big contract to move, that team moves in and makes the big trade knowing they can afford to wait on Eichel and he comes in during the playoffs and does “The Kucherov”…