Buying Out Ben Scrivens

Whilst on the search for Edmonton’s next starting goaltender a thought shot into my head that nobody has even considered. Buying out Ben Scrivens.

We talk about buying out Andrew Ference, Nikita Nikitin, or Teddy Purcell because they’re having seasons that are less than stellar, perhaps even down right horrible (Nikitin, I’m looking your way). At the deadline we pondered dealing away Viktor Fasth even though he was injured. Basicically any veteran player that wasn’t pulling his weight was expendable to us. But we never even once considered getting rid of Scrivens.

Is it because he puts up a good game now and then and keeps the Oilers in the game reminding us of the Curtis Joseph days? Is it, and I suspect for the same reason Ference isn’t bought out, because he’s good for the community? Maybe it’s because he was the first to stand up for the team during the jersey tossing fiasco? All plausible reasons but are they reasons enough to keep around a goalie who’s not a starter in the NHL and barely a backup.

He has a save percentage under .900… Unheard of in professional hockey. Buffalo’s goalies, current and ex, sport better numbers on a worse team. A career average of .910 isn’t flattering either. The year he was dealt to Edmonton his save percentage was .931 with LA and .916 on Edmonton. This year in 45 games, .899… 4th last! Being ahead of only Mike Smith (What happened to this guy?), Ray Emery, and the Oilers other goalie, Viktor Fasth. Embarrassing to say the least.

Ideally one would like to see Scrivens sporting a SV% somewhere around .915 in order to at least argue he deserves a place on the team let alone in the NHL. That would put him in Jonathan Bernier, Ben Bishop, Jonathan Quick territory.

Is it Ben Scrivens’ fault?
Yes and no. The people who served Scrivens’ and Fasth to the wolves should be held accountable. Not doing anything to help the team’s defense or center positions has left this goaltending tandem handcuffed. Also, I’m not sure we can look at the goalie coach change right now and say that’s a change that has really made a difference. The Professor and McBain did come from organizations with defensive pedigree and NHL caliber defenses but they are professional ice hockey players and it’s up to them to perform in a manner associated with being an NHL goaltender.

Some might say that buying out Ben Scrivens is unnecessary and that he’s a fine back-up goalie. I’m not sure he’s even a good back-up goalie. He’s been tainted by this Oilers regime and I just believe a whole new pairing of goaltenders would do everyone involved a lot of good.

So with all of that said, who are some potential options for the Oilers starting goalie next season?

• Braden Holtby – Here’s a guy that is having a helluva season under new coach Barry Trotz and the Caps uber-defense. He’s an RFA at season’s end and will be looking for a significant raise. Would you offer sheet him?
• Jonathan Bernier – Toronto is in major rebuild mode and they’ve got their eye on a top 5 pick this year and I imagine a top 5 pick in 2016 as well. He’s an RFA as well. I think he could be had in a trade.
• Craig Anderson – The sudden emergence of college free agent Andrew Hammonds has put the Senators in a precarious position regarding their netminders. With Anderson, Lehner and Hammond all battling it out for the top spot, who would the Sens rather put their money on? Lehner is signed through to 2016-17 at $2.25M per and Anderson contract runs out following the 2018-19 season. He’s getting $4.2M annually. But if Hammonds gets this team into the playoffs or at least very close, does that make Anderson and his contract moveable?
• Matt O’Connor – This Boston University goalie is the top college free agent this year and is drawing a ton of interest. Word has it he’ll sign a contract with the team that can offer him starting minutes this year. The rub is that it burns a year of his contract. Would it be in Edmonton’s best interests to give this guy a shot?
• Connor Hellebuyck – In 49 games with the AHL’s St.John’s IceCaps Hellebuyck has a 2.38 GAA and a SV% of .928. He’s played the most minutes in the AHL and has made the most saves. Very nice! Especially for a team that is last in their division and -35 in goal differential. In 2013-14 he was an NCAA (Hockey East) All Star and All American with UMASS-Lowell and won the very first Mike Richter award as most outstanding goaltender in NCAA Div 1. That is a ton of pedigree right there and if the Oilers are going to take a flyer on a goalie, why not this guy?

Those are some fine upgrades on Ben Scrivens. If you agree with me or disagree, let me know in the comments below. You can also get a hold of me on twitter @beerleagueheroe.

Thanks for reading!

-BLH