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A Detroit Red Wings goaltender appears to have emerged on the Edmonton Oilers’ radar as a low-risk acquisition between the pipes.
The Edmonton Oilers aren’t off to the start of the season they had hoped for, with a 4-4-2 record.
It’s hard to pinpoint the precise reason for their struggles, as the collective game as a whole hasn’t been good enough.
The team has allowed 32 goals so far this season. In their division, only the Calgary Flames (35), San Jose Sharks (42), and Los Angeles Kings (33) have allowed more.
It has also been hard offensively, with only the Seattle Kraken (25) and the Calgary Flames (21) having fewer goals scored than the Oilers, at 29.
Oilers To Inquire About Cam Talbot, Per New Report
In Edmonton, the Oilers’ goalies have often been the team’s scapegoat. The Stuart Skinner–Calvin Pickard tandem hasn’t been very consistent so far this year.
Skinner still made it to the NHL’s top 10 for goals-against average, with 2.31, but is 22nd for save percentage, with .903.
As for Pickard, he has a .846 SV% and a 3.50 GAA.
In Detroit, with John Gibson and Cam Talbot both considered number-one material, Steve Yzerman could consider parting ways with one of them, making room for younger talent already within the organization in the process.
Although blaming the Oilers’ goaltending department for the team’s struggles is valid, more was expected both offensively and defensively, which is the real surprise of the season.
Going after Cam Talbot on the trade market could fix a part of the problem, but from what can be observed when evaluating the Oilers as a whole, more will need to be done to get the team back to the Stanley Cup Finals this year, at least from the team leaders.
Previously on Red Wings Insider
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Red Wings goaltender appears on Oilers radar for low-risk goaltending acquisition
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