Goaltenders from Frank Seravalli’s trade target list the Edmonton Oilers could acquire

The goaltending in Edmonton has been dismal this season.

Stuart Skinner has gradually started to elevate his game. However, things did not look pretty for a long time at the start of the season. He allowed uncharacteristic goals, like the one against the Winnipeg Jets, which cost the team two points.

Sitting on the bench watching this happen was Jack Campbell. While Campbell’s numbers may have been slightly better than Skinner’s to start the year, the veteran goaltender found himself on waivers for the purpose of assignment to the Bakersfield Condors. Campbell has had his moments with the Condors, posting a 30-save shutout one night, but reality came crashing down on the organization on Saturday when he allowed five versus the Texas Stars.

Now, the Oilers are searching for a solution to help save their season. In addition, they likely need to find a dance partner willing to take Campbell’s contract without being forced to retain any salary, which is easier said than done.

Last week, Frank Seravalli released his first trade targets list of the year. On his list, he had three goaltenders, and Ken Holland should be called each of them.

With Samuel Montembault now resigned in Montreal, the link to Edmonton for either Jake Allen or Cayden Primeau has grown stronger. Before the Oilers change between the pipes, they will likely give Jack Campbell one last chance. With that said, Allen and Primeau would both be upgrades over Campbell and help Edmonton in the long run.

As Frank said in his article: “Allen is a calming veteran influence and well-respected teammate and tandem-mate. Primeau has been jostled around a bit but is finding his confidence and has the tools to be an impact netminder.”

Allen is the veteran of the two, with 405 games played in the NHL. This season, he has been okay with a saver percentage of 0.898 and a goals-against average of 3.74. Allen started the season much stronger, but in his last five games, he has faced the Boston Bruins, Vancouver Canucks, Detroit Red Wings, LA Kings, and Tampa Bay Lightning. And with the blueline the Habs have, most goaltenders would struggle against those teams.

As for Primeau, he is 24 years old and has played only 26 games in his career. If the Oilers were to grab him, all the other options would be off the table. The nice part about him is his cap hit of $890K. Primeau has a 0.886 save percentage and a 3.72 goals-against average in five games this season. Again, this would be the last option for Edmonton.

The idea of bringing James Reimer isn’t massively appealing, but from an on-ice perspective, it makes sense. Through six games for the Detroit Red Wings, Reimer has a 0.917 save percentage and a 2.30 goals-against average. Additionally, the Red Wings are holding three goaltenders on their roster, which seems like something they won’t want to do all season. Reimer has been a trustworthy goaltender throughout his career and has an affordable cap hit of $1.5 million.

Of the three here, Reimer would be the clear choice for Edmonton to acquire. He’s been a consistent goaltender his entire goal, which the Oilers desperately need. Additionally, his cap hit fits perfectly into the team’s cap situation.

Now, there’s no chance the Red Wings take Campbell’s contact, so Holland would still need to find a willing partner for that. Either way, a goaltender duo of Skinner and Reimer making less than $6 million combined would be a good duo.

With that said, the Oilers should aim higher than Reimer, too. If Mackenzie Blackwood becomes available, then that’s who you want. He’s having an outstanding season, and San Jose may be willing to take the total value of Campbell’s contract, which would be Christmas morning, no matter what day they completed the deal.