Insider Unveils Oilers' Strategy to Acquire a Goaltender Before Trade Deadline

One area where the team has struggled, especially early in the season, is in goal. As such, many fans have expected that the team would pursue a goaltender going into the trade deadline, at least to add some extra insurance. However, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman is not convinced that is what the team has planned.

That being said, Stuart Skinner has shown signs of wearing down lately. Over his last five starts he is 2-2-1 and has failed to record a save percentage of over .900 in any of those starts. He has given up 21 goals in that span, giving him a goals-against-average of over 4.

Calvin Pickard meanwhile has continued to play well for the Oilers since being called up to replace Jack Campbell. Over his last six starts he is a perfect 6-0 and he has not given up more than 3 goals against in any of those games. He has a .916 save percentage in that span including a shutout. It appears as though Kris Knoblauch has noticed this as it seems that he will get the team's next start.

That being said, would the Oilers really feel comfortable going into the playoffs with a tandem of Skinner and Pickard? That remains to be seen, but it is a questionable tandem at best. Skinner has shown flashes of brilliance, but he is still young and inconsistent. Pickard has mostly been an AHL player in his career. Only time will tell what the Oilers do at the deadline.

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