Jujhar Khaira clears waivers, but the Oilers now need a new third goaltender

The Edmonton Oilers are now without a third goaltender in the organization.

The club had signed Anton Forsberg in the offseason to a one-year contract worth $700,000, but he hit the waiver wire yesterday to be assigned as the team’s third goaltender on the taxi squad.

That won’t be happening, however, as Forsberg was claimed by the Carolina Hurricanes. Jujhar Khaira, who was also placed on waivers, cleared the wire and will remain with the Oilers.

Edmonton’s third goaltender in the organization is now Stuart Skinner who has struggled in his first two pro hockey seasons. Last year he played 41 games with the Bakersfield Condors posting a 16-17-8 record and a .892 save percentage on a team that struggled.

It’s tough news for the Oilers losing Forsberg. Edmonton had taken a major swing at Jacob Markstrom this offseason and when he didn’t choose to sign with the Oilers, the club was forced to circle back to Mike Smith as the team’s second goaltender.

Smith, as we all know, struggled for the majority of the season last year with the Oilers and that inconsistency is a concern entering this season. It’ll be interesting to see how Ken Holland responds now.

Patrick Russell, Alan Quine and Joakim Nygard had all been placed on waivers yesterday, too, and the trio of players cleared.

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