Posts About "Mike Smith"
Oilers Weekly: Inconsistent Play, Goalie Carousel & COVID-19
January 18th, 2021 It was a long wait, but hockey fans around the world were finally able to watch the game they love once again as the NHL returned to action this past week. Both the Edmonton Oilers and their fans were very excited to get the 2020-21 season underway as they had a very disappointing ending to their 2019-20 campaign. The Oilers were...
The Oilers Have Options to Stabilize Their Goaltending Situation
January 18th, 2021 Heading into the 2020-21 season it was clear that the biggest question for the Oilers team was its goaltending. After missing out on the plethora of goaltending options in free agency over the offseason, the Oilers headed into the season with the same tandem from a year ago with Mikko Koskinen and Mike Smith. Mike Smith appeared in...
Jets' Forsberg Waiver Claim Highlights New Roster-Building Challenges
January 16th, 2021 The Winnipeg Jets' Friday waiver claim of Anton Forsberg has highlighted the unique challenges of building and maintaining a roster and taxi squad this season, and has shown even something as seemingly simple as depth-goalie pickup causes complications in the NHL's COVID-shortened season. Forsberg's Whirlwind Week The Jets are...
Oilers News and Rumors: Smith, Barrie, Forsberg, Puljujarvi, More
January 15th, 2021 In an Edmonton Oilers news and rumors update, Tyson Barrie talks about playing with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl and specifically discusses the drop pass on Connor's second goal. There is news on Mike Smith and how long he might be out of the lineup. A couple of injured players are getting back on the ice and Jesse Puljujarvi is...
Oilers’ Goaltending Will Be Key to Success in the 2020-21 Season
January 12th, 2021 The Edmonton Oilers’ recent goaltending crisis has led to repeated speculation and discussions about the team's hopes for success and how management will attempt to rectify the situation in net, often to no avail. Goaltending has been the organization's Achilles heel for years, and this season is likely to follow the same trajectory....
Flames Suffered Through 13 Goalies Between Kiprusoff and Markstrom
January 1st, 2021 When the legendary Miikka Kiprusoff retired in 2013, the Calgary Flames faced the conundrum of where they would find their next "Kipper." They looked at all options. They increased the scope of their overseas scouting, they made trades, and they dipped into the free-agent pool. And until now, it's all been for naught. At no other point...
NHL Rumors: Hurricanes, Senators, Blue Jackets, Oilers, More
December 13th, 2020 In today's NHL rumor rundown, there is talk that the Carolina Hurricanes might try to improve their goaltending situation during the season. In Ottawa, there is chatter about who the Senators and might lose in the NHL expansion draft. In Edmonton, could Mike Smith lose the backup goaltending job? Finally, are the Columbus Blue Jackets...
Oilers News & Rumors: Kemp, McDavid, Smith, Training Camp, More
November 25th, 2020 In an Edmonton Oilers news and rumors update, the team has inked one of their later-round draft picks with the hopes he can outvalue his selection number in a major way. Connor McDavid has an interesting new workout partner while he skates in Arizona, and Mike Smith has hired a new goaltending consultant to work with this offseason....
Is Holland's Early Loyalty to "His Guys" a Good or Bad Sign?
October 30th, 2020 When a new general manager comes in and takes over an NHL franchise, there's a traditional cleaning house that tends to take place. Players and personnel that particular GM doesn't have a history with are often moved out (unless they provide huge value) and his "own guys" are moved in. In the case of Ken Holland and the Edmonton...
Oilers' Holland Conducts Free Agency Magic for Under $8 Million
October 10th, 2020 Edmonton Oilers general manager Ken Holland is on a roll. Sure, there are questions about the penalty kill and there's concern that the goaltending isn't good enough. There's even concern after getting a steal of a deal on an offensive-defenseman on Saturday that the blue line isn't good enough. All that said, the Oilers did some...
Oilers Goaltending Strategy This Offseason
September 15th, 2020 Tyler Yaremchuk said something that struck a chord with me a few days ago on TSN 1260’s Low Down With Low Tide radio show. What he reminded all of us was that the main difference between the Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks in the playoffs wasn’t player talent, coaching, or the Connor McDavid/Leon Draisatl duo playing below par...
Oilers News & Rumors: Russell, Larsson, Smith, Cap Penalties, More
September 1st, 2020 In an Edmonton Oilers news and rumors update, the Oilers re-signed a depth forward, while a hint was dropped as to who the defenseman most likely to be traded this offseason is. There is news the Oilers are over the cap in terms of bonuses and a penalty is likely coming for next year's salary cap, and GM Ken Holland says the team will...
Oilers News & Rumors: Puljujarvi, Smith, Leadership, Trades, More
August 13th, 2020 In an Edmonton Oilers news and rumors update, there is lots of talk surrounding the team's early exit from the postseason and what comes next. Ken Holland spoke to the media and gave some analysis of what he saw and hints as to his thought process moving forward. There are debates about why the Oilers lost the series, updates on...
