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A major update on the Edmonton Oilers goaltending situation could have major ramifications for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
A recent report from James Mirtle of ‘The Athletic’ indicates that the future of Stuart Skinner looks murky, and it could lead to the Edmonton Oilers making a move on a replacement, and could involve Toronto.
What the Insider Said About Edmonton’s Situation
Mirtle reports that the Oilers are looking for an upgrade in net on their current tandem of Skinner and Calvin Pickard, but have not found a trade partner that suits improving their situation.
Mirtle notes that if the Oilers are desperate enough, they could try to give up a major haul for one goalie of the top tandems across the league, one of those teams being the Leafs.
Toronto, who currently have Anthony Stolarz and Joseph Woll as their duo, have signaled no intention of breaking up that partnership, but if they were to, it would mean potentially gaining a top asset, which the Leafs are lacking.The Edmonton Oilers have had links to goalie Carter Hart, who was acquitted of a sexual assault charge in the 2018 World Juniors trial, but the rumors have been shot down as a possibility for Edmonton. Hart, who is still ruled ineligible by the league, is unlikely to sign with the Oilers.
This leaves the Oilers at a desperate position if they wish to upgrade on their current goalie group, and may leas to them paying a hefty amount to get such an upgrade into the system.
Why Toronto Could Be Drawn Into the Mix
The Toronto Maple Leafs have not looked at a trade involving Anthony Stolarz or Joseph Woll, but it may be something at least worth hearing out.
Stolarz, who is set to be a free agent at the end of this upcoming season, has never been a leading goalie for a team. Stolarz’s 34 games this season for Toronto was a career high.
Despite a dominant season with a 21-8-3 record, Stolarz has never solidified being a #1 long-term.
Next season will need to prove he’s worth it, but he’s a 31-year-old backup with a contract extension looming, a scene reminiscent to Jack Campbell, and Toronto correctly walked there despite him seeming to be the answer.
Joseph Woll hasn’t proven he can take over the reigns long-tern, and would need a goalie partner for him.
There’s no good options in free agency so they’d need to make a goalie trade themselves. Edmonton wants to contend, but Toronto needs to as well and hurting their goalie depth is questionable.
Dennis Hildeby has shown he can one day be an NHL goalie, but is still working to get his game up to a pro speed and will need more time, he’s not ready as of yet to be the Leafs backup.
Like with Edmonton, Toronto does not appear to be an option for Carter Hart either, even if they were to move one of Stolarz or Woll.
While Hart, prior to his leave from the team was a starting NHL goaltender, the understanding is his current prospects for signing seem limited, even more so with the uncertainty around if he’ll be cleared to return by the league.
With Binnington one of the names that could be of interest for Edmonton, St. Louis is a team that may look at Hart to back up youngster Joel Hofer.
Blues development coach Brian Elliott mentored Hart in net when the two played together in Philadelphia. There’s no links of Hart to St. Louis, or any team.
The Edmonton Oilers may be desperate for a netminder to upgrade on Stuart Skinner, but without Skinner in a trade, Toronto might not just be interested. Skinner is a solid netminder who has shown he’s a starting netminder in the NHL, but has struggled with his consistency.
While the Oilers need a top goalie to get them over the playoff hump and finally get a title with the McDavid/Draisaitl core, the Toronto Maple Leafs are also fighting to contend, and would need an unbeatable deal to pry one of their two goalies from their roster.
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