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Potential New Oilers Blogger #1. Corey “A Backup Plan for the Oilers….” |
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Ek’s Note…With Hockeybuzz 2.0 about to launch we are hiring new writers for many of the NHL teams. If you want to be a blogger on hockeybuzz.com, email me eklund at hockeybuzz.com and put your team and “writer” in the subject (ex: Oilers Writer)…If the editorial staff likes it, we will post it and let the community read it as well…
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While the Oilers have had a reasonably quiet offseason thus far and haven’t made any big splashes, they have been able to generate some fairly substantial ripples. First off, signing Andrew Mangiapane to a very reasonable $3.6 million cap hit. If the former 35 goalscorer can find that form again, he should be a lock to spend the season on Leon’s line, and provide Edmonton with good value. The other exciting news was the trade for former Michigan State Spartan, Isaac “Ike” Howard. Injecting him, and top prospect Matthew Savoie into the lineup to replace the likes of Evander Kane and Connor Brown, instantly meets the goals of getting younger and faster this season. Having these two talented young forwards under team control for the next few seasons also gives Edmonton some cost certainty for the foreseeable future.
Now, on to the most talked about issue for the Oilers heading into the 25-26 season. Goaltending. With limited options available to sign or to trade for, it’s looking more and more that Edmonton is going to once again run back the tandem of Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard. While I completely understand the skepticism from fans when it comes to this option, I believe there is still hope to be had. Let’s wait and see what a new goalie coach and the creation of the much rumoured Goalie Development Department can do for Skinner’s progression. When Stu is on, he is absolutely a bonafide NHL starter, his biggest problem, being able to maintain the consistency that is required to have that reputation. Maybe new sets of eyes and ears can pull that out of him. Calvin Pickard is not the problem, but he is what he is, a very solid backup goaltender, and by all accounts, very well liked in the room.
The reason why this is probably the best option out there to start the season, is the lack of players that are actually an upgrade on this tandem. The Oilers were apparently interested in Arturs Silovs, but with Vancouver moving him recently to the Penguins, that’s yet another netminder that has been removed from Edmonton’s potential trade list. There’s been talk of waiting to see the verdict in the World Junior Trial, and then potentially signing Carter Hart to a value contract, but I just don’t see any scenario where Stan Bowman (and what he was suspended for) signs a player like Hart (and what he has been accused of). Regardless of the trial’s outcome, the optics are just too controversial for this fanbase. Coupling that with the fact Hart hasn’t played in almost two full seasons, just makes this gamble a little too hot for any team, let alone the Oilers, to contemplate.
The one option that could provide the biggest reward with little risk, is talking to Buffalo about Devon Levi. Edmonton does have trade history with the Sabres, most recently the Savoie for McLeod deal last offseason. Both teams seemed happy with the results, as Edmonton is satisfied with Savoie’s development, with them expecting him to be an everyday top nine player this season and Buffalo just re-signed the speedy McLeod, to a new four year deal.
On to Levi. The twenty three year old’s critics say he might be a bit undersized for the position at the NHL level, at only 6’0” and 192 lbs. He does, however, possess incredible athleticism, handles the puck well and is a technically sound netminder positionally, drawing comparison to Jusse Saros, and no one seems to complain about his height.
What I would like to see is the Oilers bring in Levi, who only makes $925,000 this season before becoming an RFA next year, and give him the starting role for the Condors in the AHL. Last year in Rochester he put up great numbers, with a 25-13-4 record and posting .919 save percentage. If this new goalie department can help him translate that success at the NHL level, then we have built in protection against Skinner’s contract demands next offseason, or we have a new backup as Pickard is also on an expiring contract. If Skinner does repeat his struggles from last season, then call Levi up and give him a legitimate shot at the highest level. If he’s not quite ready, send him back down, as he’s waiver exempt next season. Maybe Janmark and a second get it done?
Minnesota Wild Blogger • 
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