Edmonton Oilers

NHL Insiders Suggest Koskinen Buyout More Likely Than Neal Buyout

The Edmonton Oilers will have a couple of players as candidates for a buyout this offseason, but some say Koskinen is more likely than Neal.

by
NHL Trade Talk
May 28, 2021

I took a look recently at the idea that Edmonton Oilers GM Ken Holland will be targeting James Neal as a buyout candidate this offseason. While many still think he’s a candidate for such a move, a couple of NHL insiders suggested Holland might focus instead on goaltender Mikko Koskinen.

Elliotte Friedman, Brian Lawton and Louie DeBrusk are all in the camp that the Oilres should move on from the netminder as he’s not likely to be a part of the team’s long-term future and the tandem of Mike Smith and Koskinen just won’t be enough to get the Oilers where they’d like to be. While the stats seemed to suggest the Oilers got sufficient netminding from the duo, most believe there needs to be an upgrade here and one that the Oilers core can move forward with.

Lawton told host of Oilers Now, Bob Stauffer that it is time for the Oilers to move and said, “It just wasn’t a tandem that I felt good in.” DeBrusk noted that he thinks the way the Oilers chose not to call upon Koskinen to end the season and the fact that he’s not worked out as hoped, he’s not part of the team’s long-term planning. He said it’s no slight to Koskinen, just that it seems clear Edmonton is going to move in another direction.

Friedman noted during a spot on SN960 that he thinks Holland was hinting the buyout he mentioned during his media avail was directed towards Koskinen and mostly because, “The problem with Neal is that he’s on your cap for four years.”

A Koskinen Buyout Doesn’t Give Oilers Much Room

While $1.5 million is something, it’s probably not enough space for the Oilers to make a splash at the goaltending position — at least not one that is leaps and bounds better than Koskinen. A buyout would cost the Oilers $3 million ($1.5 million in 2021-22 and $1.5 million 2022-23). It’s not that the money won’t come in handy, but a combo of Alex Stalock and Smith isn’t going to cut it.

Holland will need to go out and find another option and it’s not likely he can find a 1B for $1.5 million. A Neal buyout saves Edmonton $3.8 million and would allow the Oilers to go out and add a key player.

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