The Edmonton Oilers are an improved hockey club in just about every aspect. The team has proven people both in the front office and behind the bench, while they’ve added some solid players to key positions of need within the organization.
That being said, there is still one glaring issue in Edmonton, and that is goaltending. The team changed up the mix within the organization, and hope that the new group will fare better than the last two incarnations, one led by Devan Dubnyk and Jason Labarbera and the other by Ben Scrivens and Viktor Fasth.
The Moves:
The Oilers allowed numerous members of last year’s group to walk away. Viktor Fasth signed in the KHL, Frans Tuohimaa signed in Europe, while Richard Bachman joined the Vancouver Canucks organization. The only remaining members? Projected backup Ben Scrivens and top prospect Laurent Brossoit, the projected AHL starter.
New GM Peter Chiarelli made a few additions to the position, signing Eetu Laurikainen out of Europe, trading for and signing Anders Nilsson from Chicago, and dealing three picks to New York for Cam Talbot, the man many considered top dog on the market this summer.
Talbot’s Job:
The Oilers gave up picks 57, 79 and 184 for Talbot and pick 209 back on draft day. The deal marked a bet by Peter Chiarelli, a bet that Cam Talbot’s AHL track record and NHL track record would translate into a starter’s role in the NHL.
Talbot handled the job for the Hartford Wolfpack in the AHL, but he’s never handled it for more than a two month stretch this past season in the NHL. No matter what the numbers say, Talbot is still a bet. Yes, he’s a very good one, but he is one nonetheless.
Talbot posted SV%’s of .941 (21 games in 2013-14) and .926 (36 games in 2014-15) behind a pretty average defense in New York.
If those numbers translate, then Edmonton is likely set in net for a number of years with Talbot and the emerging Brossoit.
Edmonton gave up assets for Talbot and his recent numbers, albeit in a small sample size, suggest that he will be given the starting job this season for the Oil.
What Happens If Failure Strikes Again:
In 2013-14, Devan Dubnyk’s career imploded to the point where it almost seemingly ended. Dubnyk was terrible for Edmonton, bad enough to sink some solid early season efforts for the team and end the season by November 1st. It was ugly, no doubt.
The biggest issue in the fall of 2013? Edmonton had no backup plan. Jason Labarbera was simply not good enough to step in and stop the bleeding.
In 2014-15, Ben Scrivens imploded at the beginning of the season and never really recovered. Statistically, he was one of the worst goalies in the NHL last season. What happened when he failed? Edmonton turned to Viktor Fasth, who imploded in a worse way than Scrivens. After that? There was no cover in Edmonton.
What happens if Cam Talbot implodes this fall?
I know it’s unlikely that Talbot stoops to the level of the last two falls in Edmonton, but we also said that about both Dubnyk and Scrivens. Fact is, while I don’t expect Talbot to be bad, you have to be prepared and expect the unexpected.
Call it prepping for a doomsday that probably will never come.
That said, if it happens, Edmonton has two options. They can turn back to Scrivens, who is almost certain to recover from his dark 2014-15 season and return to previous form, or turn to Anders Nilsson, who is coming off of a stellar season in the KHL.
The other option? It’s unlikely, but Edmonton could explore the market and make another trade for a goaltender. It would likely cost far more than the team would like, but it could be an option should Talbot falter come October.
Is Goaltending Improved?:
Listen, I don’t think it’s possible for Edmonton to receive worse goaltending than they did last season. Cam Talbot is a very good bet, and Ben Scrivens will be hungry to rebuild what was a very good reputation going into last season.
When you factor in a more proven system and an upgraded defense that features Andrej Sekera now, you have to feel better.
The whole point of this post? There is still some uncertainty in net. Like I’ve said, I like Talbot and feel like it’s a good bet, but let’s not sit here and say that it’s a position that’s on lockdown and set. There is still some risk here.
In the next month, many people will make their predictions for the 2015-16 NHL season. When doing so for Edmonton, the biggest question will still be goaltending. If Talbot can answer the bell, then this team can accomplish somethings this season.
Is he ready to handle it?
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