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The Edmonton Oilers are coming off their best playoff performance in the Connor McDavid era, following a run to the Western Conference Finals.
It's a major step for the team, after struggling to find a lot of success over the last few years. That said, they were still swept by the Colorado Avalanche and while the games may have been closer than the series suggested, the Oilers are still in need of improvements.
The Oilers' high-powered offense looks stronger than ever. They added Zach Hyman and Evander Kane, along with the development of Jesse Puljujarvi and Kailer Yamamoto rounding out the forward group a bit. With the seventh-most goals per game this season, offense isn't a concern for Edmonton. But they need to make improvements if they want don't want to waste the Connor McDavid era.
Connor McDavid hasn't played a hockey game in EIGHTEEN DAYS and still has six points more than anyone competing in the Stanley Cup Final. LOL
— Matt Larkin (@MLarkinHockey) June 24, 2022
2 Key Areas Edmonton Oilers' Needing The Most Improvement
1. Oilers defense
Edmonton could use an addition on defense, given they arguably lack a true shutdown defender. However, if Duncan Keith opts to return rather than retire, it means he, along with Darnell Nurse, Tyson Barrie and Cody Ceci are all still locked up for next year. Then with Evan Bouchard only improving with a year still remaining on his entry-level contract and Philip Broberg set to be in the mix next season, even if the Oilers could use an addition to their blue line, it seems unlikely the team will actually make a major change there.
But it became evident that opponents speed can take advantage of the Oilers on the blue line. An upgrade is surely needed.
#Oilers really need to get their defense up to speed. Lots of rfa dmen this summer….that should definitely be explored.
— Michael Cook (@crjcook) June 19, 2022
2. Oilers Goaltending
The biggest area that seems most likely for the Oilers to make a legitimate upgrade though is in goal. It's clear the Oilers need to find an outright starter. That's something they've lacked since Cam Talbot fell out of favor and was moved.
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Mike Smith was a key reason for the Oilers being able to make a deep playoff run. He posted a .913 save percentage in the postseason. However, the issue remains that Smith is 40 years old and is still deciding if he'll retire. Even if he did return, his workload is a major question. Smith played just 28 games this season. There's no way he could be counted on to take on more than half the team's games next season considering nagging injuries.
Mikko Koskinen signed to play in Switzerland next season, ending his four-year tenure with the Oilers. Stuart Skinner remains a really strong prospect, but still a project. If Smith does return, running a tandem of Smith and Skinner is far from an ideal option and one which could push one or both net minders into roles they aren't really able to take on.
There are several options around the league the Oilers could look at, either via trade or free agency. John Gibson has been rumored as an option. His age doesn't necessarily match up with the Anaheim Ducks' timeline to compete. We also know the St. Louis Blues were pitching Jordan Binnington as a trade option to teams around the league as well. Ville Husso is in need of a contract extension, making that a question mark.
Semyon Varlamov is another option as well. The Islanders already have Ilya Sorokin emerging as a franchise goalie and would be able to clear cap space while getting assets back by moving Varlamov. There could be other potential targets as well. Others like Matt Murray carry risk, while other speculated trade candidates like Sergei Bobrovsky seem far-fetched as a result of their contract.
Other options are certainly present in free agency as well. Marc-Andre Fleury, Ville Husso or even Braden Holtby could potentially help out as a short-term solution, while Jack Campbell or Darcy Kuemper could provide stability for many years to come. Regardless of which route the Oilers decide to take to find a goalie, they certainly have options.
Of course though, a lack of cap space remains an issue for the Oilers. Evander Kane is set to become an unrestricted free agent after finding huge success in his limited run with Edmonton. Restricted free agents Jesse Puljujarvi and Kailer Yamamoto are each also due for a raise. It's certainly a balancing act, as taking money away from other parts of the lineup to improve their goaltending could mean filling one hole while creating another.
That said, it seems extremely unlikely that the Oilers go through another offseason without making an upgrade in goal. If Smith returns, a tandem of Smith and Skinner simply carries too much uncertainty for a team looking to contend. If Smith decides to retire, the Oilers will be forced to make an addition in net.
