PITTSBURGH, PA – OCTOBER 09: John Gibson #36 of the Anaheim Ducks protects the net during the season opener against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Consol Energy Center on October 9, 2014 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)

Who should the Edmonton Oilers target in goal?

The Edmonton Oilers’ goaltending last season was nothing short of a complete mess. Craig MacTavish and company banked that one of two career backup goalies – Viktor Fasth and Ben Scrivens – would be able to step it up and take on a starting role for the club. That plan failed miserably.

Oilers goaltending posted a league worst 90.19 even strength save percentage and 2.91 GA/60 – the latter being the most by a wide margin. With new management structure, and a new outlook with Connor McDavid coming in, it’s time for the team to change things up.

So who should they target?

New York Rangers goaltender Cam Talbot may be available, and if that’s the case the Oilers should try to acquire his services immediately.

Talbot – a backup goalie – posted comparable numbers to some of the NHL’s elite keepers, albeit a much smaller sample size. While he’s never started, he’s been so good over the last two seasons that he’d be worth the gamble to give a bigger role.

5v5 Sv% > 2000 minutes Between 2013-15 - Via HockeyAnalysis

5v5 Sv% > 2000 minutes Between 2013-15 – Via HockeyAnalysis

Talbot’s talents were showcased when King Henrik went down with an injury. He stepped in and looked like the real deal. He’s got a manageable $1.45 million cap hit, so it wouldn’t break the bank if the Oilers took on his salary. The question is whether the Rangers would want to trade Talbot. He’s an excellent failsafe should something happen to Lundqvist.

Allan Muir of Sports Illustrated spoke to a scout a couple of months ago who suggested Talbot could be had at a reasonable cost.

I asked a scout earlier this week about what the trade value of Rangers’ backup/late-season hero Cam Talbot is likely to be. The answer won’t thrill New York’s fans. “Best-case for the Rangers? If they find someone really desperate? Maybe a second rounder,” the scout said. “More likely, though, a third and a little something on the side.

NEWARK, NJ - APRIL 07:  Cam Talbot #33 of the New York Rangers tends net against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on April 7, 2015 in Newark, New Jersey. The Rangers defeated the Devils 4-2.  (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

NEWARK, NJ – APRIL 07: Cam Talbot #33 of the New York Rangers tends net against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on April 7, 2015 in Newark, New Jersey. The Rangers defeated the Devils 4-2. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

The only way I see the Rangers trading Talbot, even though he’s a free agent at the end of next year, is if they get a sizable return. He’s got much more value than a second or third round pick. The Rangers would be smart to hold off for a low first round pick or something of similar value. If they can’t get that price, than they’d be best to hold onto him.

The Oilers would be smart to inquire into the availability of Anaheim Ducks goalie John Gibson.

Gibson is young at 21 years old and has put up strong numbers across the board at every level he’s played at. While he’s only played 23 games in the NHL, Gibson has posted a stellar 92.57 even strength save percentage.

Acquiring Gibson would give the Oilers a goaltender who would grow with the core. There’s calculated risk in doing that, since there’s no guarantees he can even succeed in full-time duty, but it would be a shrewd move in adding one of the best young goalies in the game.

NEWARK, NJ - MARCH 29:  John Gibson #36 of the Anaheim Ducks tends goal during the second period against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on March 29, 2015 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Christopher Pasatieri/Getty Images)

NEWARK, NJ – MARCH 29: John Gibson #36 of the Anaheim Ducks tends goal during the second period against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on March 29, 2015 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Christopher Pasatieri/Getty Images)

Would the Ducks trade Gibson? That’s iffy. The team ran with Frederik Andersen and while he was stable throughout the season, he fell apart towards the end of the playoffs. The Ducks might be wise to keep both of them, and let them battle and figure out who’s the goalie of the future. Trading Gibson would be tough considering he’s got so much potential. On the flip-side, he would bring a pretty valuable return – and Andersen is no slouch.

There are plenty of other options out there. The biggest free agent goalie is Antti Niemi. I don’t think the Oilers are willing to give him the term or dollar amount he’s looking for. Plus he wouldn’t be anything more than a stopgap.

Another target may be Ottawa goalies Robin Lehner and Craig Anderson – one of which the Senators are trying to trade. If the Oilers were willing to go after one of them, Anderson may be worth the price. Lehner has potential – but not as much as Gibson. He hasn’t posted great numbers and hasn’t carried a full workload over an NHL season. That may be too many flags.

The Oilers need to be thinking about the future. The only thing that’s certain between the pipes is something needs to change.

About Liam McGuire

Social +Staff writer for The Comeback & Awful Announcing. Liammcguirejournalism@gmail.com

Quantcast