The Leafs and Oilers may be betting on the same horse this summer; Oilers expected to push hard for Husso
It's no surprise to the hockey world that the Edmonton Oilers are in need of a goalie after losing Mikko Koskinen last week. Koskinen signed a two year deal with the Swiss League's HC Lugano, leaving the Oilers with a veteran Mike Smith, who happens to be pondering retirement. It appears as though the Leafs may not be the only team looking for two goalies this summer.
Without Koskinen in the fold, the Oilers could be looking at a tandem of Mike Smith and Stuart Skinner. That would be less than ideal, considering Smith's age and Skinner's inexperience. That said, Smith has shown he can still play at a high level, helping the oilers reach the Western Conference Finals this season.
If Smith does choose to retire, the Oilers will be left with a tandem of Skinner and Oliver Rodrigue, both of whom are under 25 and likely aren't ready to be full-time NHLers. If I'm Oilers GM Ken Holland, I'm not feeling too good about the idea of rolling with two inexperienced goalies next season.
Per The Fourth Period's David Pagnotta, the Oilers are expected to be in on St. Louis Blues netminder Ville Husso this summer. Husso is not expected back in St. Louis and it appears as though he will test free agency in hopes of finding a fit as a starting goalie. The Oilers could certainly provide him with that. Pagnotta also added that the Oilers had interest in acquiring Husso this past season, though the Blues were not amenable to moving him at the time. Perhaps now, the stars are aligning for Husso and the Oilers.
Husso is expected to garner a lot of interest in the open market on July 13th, with the Leafs being another potential suitor, should they be unable to lock up Jack Campbell to an extension before free agency opens up. If the Leafs do manage to swipe Husso in free agency, it would not be surprising in the least to see the Oilers turn around and sign Campbell, much like they did with Mike Smith in 2020 when they allegedly lost the bidding war for Jacob Markstrom's services to the Calgary Flames. With Markstrom signing long-term in Calgary, it left Mike Smith in search of a new home, and the Oilers gave him one just up the road.
