Pretend we can drive to the grocery store, and there’s a flash sale on goalies. This store is motivated to sell, and they’ve ensured these goalies will agree to coming to your house. However, you’ve still got a budget, and you’re going to have to talk to your wife (or husband) about what you’re going to be willing to give up. Let’s even suppose they’ll agree, so it’s an even swap.

Which goalie do you want, and who are you comfortable giving up?

Juuse Saros

Contract term: Year 1 of 8 (No Movement Clause)
Dollars: $7.74M

The situation: Juuse Saros is 30 years old and is coming off of his worst season in the NHL, as the Nashville Predators continue to toil after GM Barry Trotz’s signing-pulooza a year ago. Currently sitting at a .892sv%, combined with Nashville’s poor play, has led to speculation that if Trotz is going to tear it down, they could start in goal.

What you have to like about Saros is that it’s a fresh start, plus he’s been a very good playoff goalie. Two years ago, he nearly willed the Preds past the Vancouver Canucks. He’s also gearing up to be a big part of Finland’s Olympic hopes in February. Saros has carved out a good career with his athleticism, overcoming his height (5’11”), and has had tremendous seasons. He finished 6th, 3rd, 4th, and 5th in Vezina voting from 2020-21 to 2023-24.

The problem is: I’m not convinced he’s actually available. Saros has to waive his no-move. Trotz also traded a goalie of the future in Yaroslav Askarov to keep Saros around as the de facto starter. This goalie will also cost the most.

Jordan Binnington

Contract term: Year 5 of 6 (No Trade Clause, 14-team no-trade list)
Cap hit: $6M

The situation: The St. Louis Blues are in the struggle bus right now, and goaltending is a big reason why. The word from the Blues front office is that they are open to making moves. Binnington has shown the ability to be a stalwart when he’s on his game. Anyone who watched Binnington’s performance in the 3rd period and OT in the Four Nations Faceoff final vs the United States knows he’s a gamer, plus has a ton of swagger and fire, something the Oilers sorely lack. Of course, he comes with an elusive Stanley Cup pedigree. But also a .873sv% this year. With that said, his value couldn’t be lower than right now.

The problem is: Is Doug Armstrong, who gutted the Oilers’ cap situation by signing Dylan Holloway and Philip Broberg to handcuffing offer sheets, really going to give Stan Bowman a hand here? I have a hard time believing it. I don’t believe he’d be as expensive as Saros, but major challenges persist.

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

Contract term: Year 2 of 5 (modified NMC kicks in 26-27)
Cap hit: $4.75M

The situation: Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen requested a trade, according to reports out of Buffalo, with their current crease logjam, and the eventual positioning of Devon Levi for that role. He’s 1-1-1 this season with a 2.91 GAA and .877sv%. He has little pedigree compared to the above names, but in this case, he appears available. He had a good year in 2023-24 that helped land him his current contract, where he had a winning record and .910sv%. Is a change of scenery what this player needs? He’s also just 26.

The problem is: Is UPL really an upgrade on Stu Skinner? That is unclear and seems like re-arranging deck chairs.

There’s also theoretically: Alex Lyon, David Rittich, Arvid Soderblom, Elvis Merzlikins, and Ilya Sorokin, who range in cost and contract.

Who would you trade?

Here are the Edmonton Oilers with some form of NTC or NMC: Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Zach Hyman, Trent Frederic, Andrew Mangiapane, Adam Henrique, Jack Roslovic, Mattias Janmark, Evan Bouchard, Darnell Nurse, and Jake Walman.

That’s most of the roster.

The Oilers are spinning several plates in the air right now to stay cap compliant, and a trade for a higher-priced goaltender is likely going to have to match dollar for dollar. This is why guys like Dave Pagnotta and Bob Stauffer don’t believe they are going to make a goalie move.

But let’s say everyone would waive, so you only have to worry about matching dollars and coming up with a fair deal. Remember, the 2026 1st rounder was already traded.

In almost any scenario, you’d have to part with Brent Kulak ($2.75M), Stu Skinner ($2.6M), and either Matt Savoie or Isaac Howard, or the 2027 1st rounder. To get a top goaltender, you have to make an uncomfortable trade.

What would you do if you were in Stan Bowman’s shoes?

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