Edmonton Oilers Talk: Is John Gibson a Buy Low Candidate the Oilers Should Take a Chance On?

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Copper and Blue

Kicking Tires On John Gibson

Over the last three seasons, he’s -18, -7.4, and -14.3 in GSAE. That’s not encouraging, especially for a goaltender who looked like a sure thing not long ago.
In 56 games played, Gibson’s .904 SV% puts him at 43rd in SV% for qualified goaltenders in 2021-22. That’s right next to Mikko Koskinen (.903 SV%, 44th).
Gibson has five years remaining on a 51MM deal he signed back in 2018. Averaging 6.4MM a season for the next five is a pretty big ask for a goaltender that hasn’t been good in his last three years.
Gibson’s got a 10 team NTC which could wipe Edmonton off the radar if he ever hits trade talk.
How they can fit a full value Gibson under the cap ceiling without at least some help from the Ducks via retention or otherwise is anyone’s guess.
The Hockey News’ Lyle Richardson reports that it would cost a first round pick and either a good young player or a good prospect to start any conversation about acquiring the services of Gibson.
For the Oilers to make this even remotely work, they’d need to send a contract (like Tyson Barrie) back to the Ducks in order to free up some space. The Oilers don’t have much to spare in this year’s draft (they’ve got a first, a fourth, a fifth and a sixth), so getting a deal done would require some creative avenues from Ken Holland.

BLH’s Thoughts: Here’s what I think with Gibson, he was going real good until the All-Star break (15-10-8, .922 sv% 2.49 GAA). Whatever happened after that just f*cked his form because he went 3-16-3 with a .876 sv% and a 4.32 GAA. He was basically the netminding version of Jesse Puljujarvi sans the post-season.

Speaking of Pulju, I’d be willing to bet that my boy would be involved in any deal with the Ducks. They lack a big bodied skilled RW who can play in the top-six at the moment. One problem with this trade is Anaheim already has Jamie Drysdale and Kevin Shattenkirk patrolling their blueline on the right side. Therefore, I don’t see them taking Tyson Barrie and his $4.5M/yr deal in any trades and they might actually prefer Cody Ceci.

Would you trade Ceci, Puljujarvi, and a 2023 first round pick for one of the few goalies in the league who could play 55 games and well might I add.

For quite a long time now, the perceived ask for Gibson was four pieces. For Edmonton, it was Broberg/Holloway, Puljujarvi, a first round pick, and another player/pick. But that doesn’t seem to be the case anymore, so, could the Oilers buy low on Gibson?

For me, it’d be worth a conversation to see what Anaheim would accept. Would Mike Smith be a possibility? How do they feel about taking Oscar Klefbom’s contract? Does Warren Foegele tickle their fancy?

I feel like Gibson’s numbers have gone down along with the quality of the team he’s played on and on a good team, he’s an elite goalie. What have the Oilers lacked since forever? An elite no.1 goalie.

However, just for the record, I don’t think the Oilers would be able to acquire the American goalie because everything I hear is that he won’t waive his no-trade to go to Canada.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gox7xZkPtzs

The Jeff Marek Show

Barry Trotz, Free Beer and a Decision

“Steve Staios is an interesting one. I’ve always wondered about two teams with him in particular: Montreal and Edmonton… Edmonton, he obviously played there. He played a lot of his career there. I do think the day is going to come when Staios is in the NHL working his way up somewhere. Those are the two team’s I’ve looked at and wondered.”
“Remember how much we were talking in January/February about Husso and the Oilers? I just wonder if that one picks up again in the offseason. I think the Oilers are preparing for the possibility of a future without Mike Smith. Whether it’s retirement or LTIR. And in that situation, it says to me “you’ve got Skinner, and you’ve got someone else.” So who’s the someone else? One of the things we talked about a while ago is how the Oilers had interest in Husso and I wonder if that’s going to kick up again.”

BLH’s Thoughts: I think it’s safe to say that the Oilers front office is going to grow this summer. The analytics department consisting of the Mahe brothers will get a few more brainiacs in there, possibly Ken Holland’s son, Brad, is one of them. I believe the scouting department will add a few names and I’m willing to bet we might get an old face or two added to player development.

Bob Stauffer was talking about internal growth on yesterday’s Oilers Now but I do believe he was hinting at Brad Holland as opposed to Steve Staios. I don’t think Staios would re-join the Oilers as a amateur scout, would you? I’m thinking something with a bit more clout. What’s Keith Gretzky’s plan or the club’s plan for Wayne’s little brother? Could Staios come in and take over in Bako?

There’ll be a bidding war for Husso. So, the question is, will Ken Holland finally get his man or will he get beat out by another GM once again and be forced to go cheap in net?

Trade Rumors

Spector’s Hockey

Stu Cowan reports Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes is still listening to trade offers for Jeff Petry.
Eric Engels reports the Canadiens still have over $80 million invested in 19 players for 2022-23 following the Weber trade with promising restricted free agents like Alexander Romanov and Rem Pitlick to sign.
- Engels also speculated forwards Paul Byron and Jonathan Drouin could be moved this offseason.
Jimmy Murphy recently suggested the Canadiens look into acquiring Martin Necas if he no longer fits into the Carolina Hurricanes’ plans.
- The 23-year-old forward became the subject of trade speculation after a disappointing season amid rumors of a possible rift with Hurricanes’ coach Rod Brind’Amour.
Prior to the Flyers’ reported signing of head coach John Tortorella, Sam Carchidi suggested it may be time for them to trade Ivan Provorov or Travis Konecny.

BLH’s Thoughts: If the Habs are looking to cut salary, how could the Oilers be a good trading partner with them if they themselves are looking to increase the amount of room they have under the cap this offseason?

Puljujarvi for Necas? I know somebody suggested it to Bob Stauffer on his radio show and he didn’t think it would be possible because the Czech was a center. I’m paraphrasing, but I think he also said Carolina would be stupid to trade Necas.