The Edmonton Oilers have had a disastrous start to the season, sitting at a dismal 0-3 with a shocking 15 goals against. It’s clear that goaltending is a major issue, and General Manager Stan Bowman seems to be exploring all options.
A recent development has the Oilers potentially claiming Detroit Red Wings goaltender Ville Husso off waivers. This unexpected move could signal a major shakeup in Edmonton’s crease.
Husso to Edmonton? Oilers Explore Waiver Claim to Solve Goaltending Crisis
Husso, who carries a hefty $4.75 million cap hit, was surprisingly placed on waivers by the Red Wings. With limited cap space around the league, there aren’t many teams who can afford to take on his contract. However, the Oilers, desperate for a solution in net, might be willing to make the financial adjustments necessary to acquire the Finnish netminder.
To accommodate Husso’s contract, a trade seems inevitable. One possibility involves moving defenseman Brett Kulak to the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for veteran Jack Johnson. This swap would free up the necessary cap space to bring Husso on board.
However, the Oilers face another significant challenge: Evander Kane’s impending return. Kane, who is currently sidelined with an injury, carries a $5.125 million cap hit. To manage this, the Oilers might take a page out of the Vegas Golden Knights’ playbook and delay Kane’s return until later in the season when there’s more flexibility within the NHL salary cap.
What are Oilers fans saying about this potential move?
The reaction from fans has been mixed. Some believe that Husso could be the solution to their goaltending woes, while others argue that the Oilers’ problems run deeper than just goaltending. Here’s a common sentiment:
“You might want to have more than one defenseman who knows how to play defense. When 97 and 29 can’t outscore your problems, you look…like you’ve looked so far this season. This isn’t the 80s anymore. Stay away from Husso. He will not solve the Oilers problems. They need better defense. Find a way to trade Darnell Nurse!”
This highlights a crucial point: while Husso could provide an upgrade in net, the Oilers’ defensive struggles need to be addressed for any real improvement to occur.
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