Chicago Blackhawks
Insider Brings New Name, Former Oiler Into Their Goalie Search
The Edmonton Oilers search for a goalie is in full swing, and Elliotte Friedman has added another option to the list.
With every new day comes a new report around the Edmonton Oilers and their desperate search for an upgrade in net. Jordan Binnington, Tristan Jarry, and even Juuse Saros are among the names that have been mentioned in recent days and weeks, though, like with anything, all come with some risk and hurdles to clear in any potential deal.
As much as Oiler fans want one of these three higher-profile goaltenders, doing so will be easier said than done for Stan Bowman and company, and because of that, Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman is wondering if they’ll target a cheaper option from Chicago in Laurent Brossoit.
“A guy I’m going to be curious about, and again, he’s been hurt, but he doesn’t necessarily cost you anything, is Brossoit. So Laurent Brossoit is coming back. He hasn’t played in two years, you know, he could’ve given up, because those were some bad injuries, but he wanted to try. I think he’s going to be on a conditioning stint by next week at the latest… The thing about him is, he doesn’t really cost you anything to go do it, aside from a pick. It’s not a heavy cost like a guy like Jarry would be, a heavier cost. So I’m wondering if that’s a guy that’s now on Edmonton’s radar,”
The 32-year-old Brossoit is in the second and final season of the two-year, $6.6 million contract he signed to join the Blackhawks as a UFA in 2024. As Friedman mentioned, he missed the entirety of the 2024-25 campaign and hasn’t played an NHL game since April 28, 2024.
Is Laurent Brossoit an Upgrade for Edmonton?
After being connected to the likes of Binnington, Jarry, and Saros, hearing that Brossoit could be the fallback option certainly isn’t going to inspire Oilers Nation.
The veteran has had some good years as a backup, most recently in Winnipeg and Vegas, though he’s only started more than 20 games in a season twice in his career. Pair that with this lengthy injury absence, and it’s another potential trade with plenty of risk.
It would be a nice story for a guy who began his NHL career in Edmonton, but if the Oilers really want to upgrade from the tandem of Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard, it’s unlikely that just landing Brossoit is going to be enough.
Being a lower cap hit on an expiring deal is what makes it easy to stomach; however, it’s yet again another short-term fix with tons of question marks when what’s needed in Edmonton is a true number one goalie that’s a long-term solution.
Next: Three-Time All-Star Seen as Oilers Dream Target in Goal
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