Between now and training camp in September, the Edmonton Oilers will need to make a number of moves. Chief among those moves will be the need to add a starting goaltender, one who has proven that he can handle the job at the NHL level. There are a number of options out there on the trade market, but a UFA is the most appealing route.
Why is it the most appealing route? Simple, it only costs you a contract. It’s simply money against the salary cap and not assets via trade, which could get very pricey and harm other areas of the team.
While there are a few options out there in terms of free agents, the most appealing, and the biggest name, is San Jose Sharks G Antti Niemi. Niemi is a veteran of the NHL, is annually posting a SV% between .910-.920 and has a Stanley Cup ring on his resume. He’s a pretty solid option for just about any team out there in the NHL.
According to a report from ESPN’s Pierre LeBrun, the Sharks have Niemi on the table currently in trade discussions, meaning a team could acquire his services now, and test drive him heading into the off-season. This would also give a team an exclusive negotiating window to talk with the goalie and his agents.
Why Move Niemi?:
This makes little sense on the surface of it, as the Sharks are currently inside the playoffs out west. This is a team, however, that is trying to get younger, and moving out a 31 year old goalie seems part of the plan to get the youth movement going. This would also be a situation where a team would get an asset for a player likely leaving as a UFA this summer.
The Sharks also have two options ready to move up and take over, two younger options. Alex Stalock has struggled this season, posting a .899 SV%, but over his career has been decent, posting a .918 SV%. He’s had a down year, but posted a .932 last season that helps even out that mark.
He’s only 27 years old, and many people seem to think that he can handle the load in San Jose. Meanwhile, at the AHL level, Troy Grosenick has a .903 SV% in his rookie AHL season, in which he has appeared in 35 games. He’s also got some NHL time under his belt, playing in two games this year and posting a .948 SV%. He’s a guy the Sharks like for the future.
Niemi certainly is a better bet for this season, but moving forward, it looks like the Sharks are content in rolling with Stalock and Grosenick, saving money and getting younger on the fly at the position. It’s risky, but it’s something they have done before.
Why Edmonton?:
The Oilers goaltending is awful. You can argue that Edmonton is somewhere between five and ten wins better with goaltending alone. I know that seems like a lot, but I truly believe that the goalies on this team have made it look worse than it really is, you’ll have a hard time convincing me otherwise. Both Scrivens and Fasth have struggled in major ways this year, and have failed this team.
Fasth is likely done as an Edmonton Oiler. He’s an unrestricted free agent this summer, and has not earned a contract with the club. Ben Scrivens, who is signed for one more year, will get the back-up role next year, but Edmonton badly needs someone to take over as the starting netminder. Enter Niemi.
This season, Niemi has a .911 SV%, miles better than any goalie in Edmonton. His career SV% is .915, which is average at the NHL level, again miles better than what Edmonton has currently. Yes, he is 31, but he’s still got a few good years left, and has never been below .910 as a starter in the NHL. He’s a steady and proven NHL goalie, something the Oilers baldy need.
I’m not sure he would choose the Oilers, but he certainly makes a ton of sense for the Oilers as a player of interest moving forward.
A Trade?:
I highly doubt Edmonton moves draft picks to get a test drive of Niemi unless they are absolutely certain they can sign him to an extension before July 1st comes around. If they can, a trade absolutely makes sense to me. Get him in here, make him comfortable and see what he can do. Sure, you might win an extra game or two, but is that really a bad thing? I don’t think so.
What will he cost? I’ll say a goalie and a second round pick, so Viktor Fasth and a second. Would Edmonton do that deal? I’m not sure MacT would, but I certainly would. To be honest, I highly doubt San Jose does that deal, but I’m just trying to get in the ballpark of what it might cost here, contract considered.
Personally, I’d move to get Niemi right now if the price was right. Don’t overpay for the guy, but if you can get him, then why the hell not. I’m not sure he will be the guy when it is all said and done, but Antti Niemi is absolutely on the list of potential Oiler goalies for 2015-16, as he should be.
He’s not elite, but if Niemi comes walking through that door on July 1st, I won’t be in the least bit disappointed. Edmonton needs to solve this position, and Antti Niemi is a possible answer. If you can cross this off the list at the deadline, then get it done. Will the Sharks actually move him? That may be a different story.
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