Edmonton Oilers recall Ilya Konovalov from taxi squad

The Edmonton Oilers have recalled goaltender Ilya Konovalov from the taxi squad under emergency conditions.

Konovalov, 23, is playing his first season of hockey in North America. The 2019 3rd round pick of the Oilers spent the preseason in Edmonton, and has appeared in 10 games for the AHL’s Bakersfield Condors.

There, he’s posted a 3-3-4 record, a .900 save percentage and a 2.48 goals-against average.

With Mikko Koskinen starting Saturday against the Islanders, it’s believed there is some issue with Mike Smith, who is now listed as day-to-day. The veteran goalie was playing in his second game back Friday against the New Jersey Devils and during the third period, appeared to be in some discomfort after a pileup in his crease.