The Edmonton Oilers have a problem with the net, and the entire hockey world knows it. They will have to make a move to upgrade at the position at some point; it’s just a question of whether they can get something done before the trade deadline, or if they’ll have to wait until the offseason when more salary cap space opens up.
For a team with expectations that are nothing short of a Stanley Cup, taking the cautious approach isn’t going to sit well with anyone, but the problem is the lack of true number one goaltending options on the trade market.
While that is undoubtedly the case, one possibility could arise given the St. Louis Blues’ struggles, and that is veteran netminder Jordan Binnington. Sportsnet insider Nick Kypreos included Binnington in his latest trade board, linking him to the Oilers in a potential deal that would also involve a Blues defenseman. Stuart Skinner the other way.
Kypreos wrote:
“Binnington has one season left on his contract and the feeling is that he won’t be part of any realignment the Blues might undergo. The strongest speculation ties Binnington to Edmonton, and that the Oilers are also looking at bringing in a defenseman from St. Louis at the same time. That potential deal would most likely be built around Stuart Skinner’s return to St. Louis to team up with Hofer.”
The 32-year-old Binnington is in the fifth season of the six-year, $36 million extension he signed with the Blues in 2021, while the 27-year-old Skinner is awaiting UFA in the final season of the three-year, $7.8 million deal he signed to remain in Edmonton through 2022.
Since winning a Stanley Cup as a rookie, Binnington’s play has been an absolute rollercoaster ride in St. Louis, so it’s a bit of a gamble if the Oilers want to acquire him.
That said, Edmonton has seen firsthand how difficult it is to find good goaltending when you don’t have it. So when a player as talented and proven in the biggest moments and on the biggest stage as Binnington becomes an option, you should pursue it.
Justin Faulk was the only Blues defenseman on the Kypreos trade deck, so it’s fair to connect the dots and wonder if the Oilers could pair the two in a bigger deal, though it would be tough to make something of that size work given their ceiling limitations.
Either way, it’s a fascinating rumor to keep an eye on, and something that should excite Oiler fans to hear that Stan Bowman and company are finally trying to fix this glaring problem.
Next: Insider Names Elias Pettersson to Trade Board Amid Canucks Chaos
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