Scribe Takes Oilers Goaltending Rumors With “Grain of Salt”

The Edmonton Journal’s Kurt Leavins isn’t buying the trade rumors connecting the Edmonton Oilers to Anaheim Ducks’ netminder John Gibson. As the Oilers get set to take on the Ducks Sunday afternoon, there has been chatter, thanks to an article by Chris Johnston of The Athletic, that Gibson might be a solid fit.

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In that article, Johnston wrote:

The Oilers have been humming along through December with Stuart Skinner logging a majority of starts and don’t have any apparent need at the position. However, they are a bottom-10 team in terms of save percentage and aren’t loaded with options beyond Skinner in the event they ever have to play an extended run without him. So while Gibson may not be a priority addition, he could be a sensible one — especially in the scenario detailed above where he’s being acquired with a $3.2 million cap hit.

This isn’t the first time a goalie has been linked to the Oilers in trade rumors, but it is one of the first times that a notable insider has linked someone prominent since the goaltending got a lot better in Edmonton. Things started out a little slowly, but Skinner has found his game and Calvin Pickard has been excellent. Why would the Oilers want to bring in an expensive veteran when they have other, more pressing needs? Leavins isn’t sure they should.

Gibson Might Not Be An Upgrade

Leavins writes, “Meanwhile, I take the John Gibson rumors with a grain of salt. At this point in his career, I am not at all sure if Gibson is an upgrade on either Skinner or Cal Pickard (will start versus the Ducks today). Especially considering his $6.4m cap hit.”

Even if the Ducks were to retain salary at 50%, that’s $3.2 million gone that the Oilers badly need to upgrade their defense. Remember, Gibson is not a rental. He’s got two more seasons at his cap hit after this. The cost to get Anaheim to retain that much over the next two seasons and give up the player wouldn’t be inexpensive. There are likely better ways for the Oilers to spend their money and their draft picks.

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