Following the Oilers spectacular 6-5 loss on Thursday night, much digital ink has been spilled about their backup goaltending. Jonas Gustavsson allowed six goals on 31 shots as the Oilers blew a pair of two-goal leads.
GM Peter Chiarelli signed Gustavsson on July 1 to a one-year, $800K contract to serve as backup to Cam Talbot. While Gustavsson is thought to be a good guy on the bench, his career numbers (0.902 SV%, 2.87 GAA) are well below league-average. His numbers through six appearances this season are even worse: his 0.893 SV% and 2.90 GAA rank fifth-last among goaltenders who have played at least six games. Gustavsson has just one win this year, back in early November in his first start with the club.
OilersNation writer Jonathan Willis wrote that the Oilers should quickly move on from Gustavsson, pointing out that “if he’d made one extra save last night—and given the number of bad goals he surrendered, it’s easy to imagine that… That would work out to [his career] save percentage of 0.902.”
Based on his usage of Talbot and Gustavsson, it’s clear that coach Todd McLellan has little faith in his backup. Talbot has played two more games than any other goalie in the NHL at 26. He’s on pace to start 71 games, which would be the highest since Braden Holtby started 73 back in 2014-15. Meanwhile Gustavsson has only started four games, all of which were part of back-to-back situations.
Willis wrote that the best defense of the signing was that the Oilers have faith in their minor league starter, Laurent Brossoit. Brossoit has progressed very well in his three seasons as their AHL starter. His save percentage has risen from 0.918 to 0.920 to a sparkling 0.927 this season. The only concern that the Oilers may have about Brossoit is the expansion draft. Because Brossoit is eligible to be selected, bringing him to the NHL and showing him off may prompt Vegas to pick him. However, this would mean the Oilers would be able to keep Brandon Davidson, the most likely player to be taken by the Golden Knights. As well, the Oilers have another AHL goalie, Nick Ellis, who has played very well in his eight games with a 0.931 SV% to take over the mantle in Bakersfield.
If not Brossoit, the Oilers could possibly take a look at Reto Berra, who’s buried behind Roberto Luongo and James Reimer in Florida, or even swap struggling backups with Leafs and see if a change of scenery helps Jhonas Enroth.
Oilers are still a bad team, but most def not the worst : That hall trade looks undesirable. Not much of a offence. Lucic isn’t a go to guy at all, and never really was except one year in Boston . And mcdavid can’t find a line mate to stick to. Even tho the back up sucks. I doubt another goalie will save the day in Edmonton
Lucic is having a great year! He is top 50 in points. You’re one of those people who just dont understand what other tangibles a player brings to a team. Lucic didnt come here to be the go to guy ya tool. That Hall trade was a great trade so far. GTF off the bandwagon.
What the coiler bandwagon, you must be kidding me. No thx. Rather root for leafs. At least when they went to the bottom there was light at the end of the tunnel. And sure hes top 50. Who wouldn’t be with 97. The coilers are still a joke. Sorry to break it to ya.
He doesn’t play with mcjesus all the time. You are clearly the type of guy who just assumes the oilers are bad without looking at anything. While the last place leafs are hanging in the basement again. It’s like every year in Toronto. The media makes an okay team sound like a cup champ then question why the finish last.
Ya. It’s just surprising when your big acquisition Isn’t playing with your best player(s). Ask Canuck fans about Lou 2.0. just pointing out how a back up problem isn’t the only problem here. It’s far from it. That hall trade can go down as one of the worst in team history. couldnt they kept him for one more year and have Lucic signed. Plus have Russell. Not like they’re cap crunching
Sure the oilers lost the trade, but both sides still improved their teams. Larson brings a legit top 3 defenseman to Edmonton. Sure, they overpaid for him, but with McDavid, RNH, Draisaitl, Eberle, and Lucic, they have a very solid top six that most teams can envy.
Only a Toronto fan could talk smack, calling a better team bad. All the while pumping up the Laffs. May be light at the end of the tunnel, bit your teams is still at the bottom of the well. I am not an Oiler fan whatsoever