Updated: Jun 1
It is no secret that despite being 3-1 up in their round two series against Vegas, Edmonton’s main weakness is their goaltending, and aside from Stuart Skinner's amazing shutout performance in his return, it is still a concern going forward. With no effort at bringing in a new goaltender during the trade deadline, one goaltender is sticking out to end up in Edmonton next year, and a person who the Oilers could easily target to tighten up their game in between the posts.
Stuart Skinner has been pretty on and off in terms of performances this year, but especially during this year's NHL playoffs, Skinner has really shown his inconsistency in goal for Edmonton, and has often been at fault for a lot of mishaps for the Oilers. After some poor positioning and mistakes against LA, his gaps in his game showed in his return to the ice following Calvin Pickard’s injury when he allowed the Knight’s Riley Smith to beat him with ease to win the game for Vegas in the dying seconds.
But regardless of how Skinner fares for the rest of the Oilers playoff campaign, Edmonton’s elite scoring ability and offensive players have managed to keep them alive, and however their campaign plays out, they will definitely have their sights set on a new goaltender next season.
Had the Oilers decide to target a new tender next season, one player they could target is the Bruins Jeremy Swayman. With the cap space moving up a significant amount next season, and Swayman not particularly impressive under his new long term deal in Boston, he could be a great suitor for Edmonton, and a perfect player to add, knowing what ability he holds. Swayman has some great numbers to show for his NHL career, with 2.85 GAA, and a .910 save percentage of 190 games, including an extremely impressive playoff statline with a 2.38 GAA, and a 9.22 save percentage. One thing the Oilers need are big game players, and with how Skinner has handled himself in this year's playoffs, he just doesn't seem to fit the bill, and is lacking that big game mentality they need. Swayman would bring some playoff ferocity, and a competitive nature to the team Skinner just doesn't seem to bring, making it a very interesting concept.
Swayman has proved he can do it in the big games in the playoffs. He has played game sevens, and has turned up when his team needed him the most, but may be a hard man to get hold of. After battling hard for his eight year extension in Boston, his time in the limelight as the number one tender hasn't exactly worked out well for him, but unlike Skinner in Edmonton, his ability is understood, and has the consistency and skill to be the starter in Edmonton. With cap space increasing, some big contracts potentially leaving Oil country, and the Bruins enticed by the idea of draft capital and young prospects, it could be a smart move for both teams.
As the Bruins seem to be entering somewhat of a rebuild, moving Swayman for s big haul could be exactly what Boston need, and bringing in a proven goalie like Swayman to Edmonton, it is definitely something to think about for the Oilers.
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