Oilers linked to former Vezina Trophy nominee

Jack Campbell is in the AHL and Calvin Pickard and Stuart Skinner are 1A/1B for an apparent Stanley Cup contender.

That's how things are playing out for the Edmonton Oilers less than a dozen games into the 2023-24 NHL season.

Yikes.

It makes you wonder, 'what's next?'

How do the Oilers fix this? What kind of wizardry does GM Ken Holland have to pull to fix this team's woes in goal? There have been reports that Holland is interested in the likes of John Gibson of the Anaheim Ducks or Jake Allen of the Montreal Canadiens, but that's mostly speculation. Today though, Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman reports on two potential options in Jordan Binnington (St. Louis Blues) and Juuse Saros (Nasville Predators).

From Friedman's 32 Thoughts column earlier today:

I do think they are contemplating things, looking at several options. There’ve been reports of Jordan Binnington, but unless the Blues are giving up on the season, they need to replace him and won’t be taking Campbell. Binnington’s also a $6-million cap hit, which would take quite a bit of finagling. Not impossible, but challenging. They’ve talked to Montreal — which doesn’t need a goalie — about the possibility of Jake Allen, but I don’t sense anything imminent. Watching Juuse Saros almost single-handedly beat the Flames on Tuesday reminds that he’s the true prize, but in addition to any return, it might cost the team an 18-wheeler full of Alberta crude and media-meal perogies.

We will see where this goes, including if the Oilers look at one major trade to deal with multiples issues. For example, a goalie and a defenceman. Or, a goalie and a depth forward with some edge. Another thing to remember: Canada is on a lot of no-trade lists.

- Elliotte Friedman

To me, Binnington doesnt' make much sense. The Blues aren't going to give up on their season just yet and would need a goalie in return, Campbell simply won't cut it. 

Saros though... he's a viable option.

The 28 year old Finn is arguably one of the league's top goaltenders and is signed to a very tidy $5 million cap hit for this season and next season. In my opinion, Holland should be doing everything possible to land the former Vezina nominee. He's a workhorse of a goaltending, having played 60+ per season the past two years and has provided the Predators with elite level netminding, despite their lack of firepower up front and on the blue line.

It would take an enormous package of picks and prospects for Holland to land Saros but... at this point, I think the Oilers have to pay whatever price is necessary. Thoughts, Oilers fans?