Goalie trade brewing in Edmonton!

The goaltending duo of Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard in Edmonton has proven to fans that there is less urgency for the Oilers to get help in between the pipes. However, does it get back as a priority when a three-time Stanley Cup champion enters the mix?

According to Allan Mitchell, the Oilers have been connected to Jonathan Quick of the New York Rangers. He recently wrote to add to his point:

“[GM Stan] Bowman might feel a low-cost addition ( Jonathan Quick of the New York Rangers ) would be appropriate, and the team could run three goaltenders into the final stages of the season and playoffs.”

While the play from Skinner and Pickard has improved, there was a similar sense of optimism last season when the Oilers gained momentum and entered postseason talk. However, could a veteran goalie with Stanley Cup success be what’s missing in Edmonton?

Quick, is now in his 18th NHL season, and his career has been covered in goal with not only the three Cups (two with the Los Angeles Kings and one with the Vegas Golden Knights), but also three NHL All-Star selections, a Conn Smythe Trophy and one William M. Jennings Trophy.

After last night’s start for New York, he has a career record of 399-287-86 and a .911 save percentage, while his 2.47 Goals Against Average (GAA) leads all active goaltenders. 

In New York, Quick has settled well in his role as backup and has recorded a 2.54 GAA and .913 save percentage in the process.

When it comes to money and being affordable, the Oilers probably won’t find any better than Quick, who is a pending unrestricted free agent with a cap hit of just $1.275 million for this season. Puck Pedia reports that the Oilers have just over $1.323 million of cap space and are projected to have nearly $3.497 million of room at the trade deadline. This does not include the possibility of an additional $5.125 million to play all depending on Evander Kane’s situation on long-term injured reserve and if he can return. 

The move could be done and the Rangers might not ask for a long in return while Edmonton would get leadership and playoff experience in net for what could be a successful run this time.

Now the Oilers only have to ask themselves one question when it comes to Quick: is the goalie’s best days behind him?