REPORT: Ken Holland Set To Make A Massive Move With The Oilers

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Hunter Bowman
November 23, 2023 (3:25 PM)

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In case you missed the action last night, the Edmonton Oilers faced another defeat, bringing their record to 5-12-1 and landing them at the 30th spot in the overall NHL standings.

The team suffered a 6-3 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes, and goaltender Stuart Skinner had a challenging night, allowing five goals on just 17 shots. A tough situation...

The Oilers' ongoing struggle with goaltending quality and consistency has been a persistent issue for several seasons. However, General Manager Ken Holland has made minimal efforts to address this problem. Aside from signing Jack Campbell to a less-than-ideal contract and relying on an aging Mike Smith for two seasons too many, the Oilers' goal crease remains largely unchanged.

Insider Mark Spector reports that Holland is actively "searching high and low for a goalie" but has yet to find a viable solution. Quite ironic...

Despite widespread concerns among Oilers fans and media members about the adequacy of the Campbell/Skinner goaltending tandem, Holland took no significant steps to alter the team's goaltending outlook during the past offseason.

At this juncture, something needs to change, right? Holland must make a substantial move, and there's speculation from Spector and TSN Oilers reporter Ryan Rishaug about a potential trade with the Montreal Canadiens for goaltender Jake Allen. But will that truly address the team's issues?

Considering the current struggles, a major shakeup seems necessary. While the firing of former head coach Jay Woodcroft and the appointment of Kris Knoblauch was a notable change, it doesn't address the core goaltending problem. The Oilers require significant alterations in the netminding department. Period. There's no way around it.

The longer the team continues to struggle, the more concerns arise about the futures of star forwards Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. Can these two elite players endure ongoing losses?

Recent clips of McDavid suggest a wearied demeanor, and fans have ignited trade rumors, suggesting that both McDavid and Draisaitl may not remain in Edmonton for long.

If the Oilers were to strip down their roster, excluding McDavid and Draisaitl, it would likely take them years to recover. The team's structure seems flawed, relying heavily on the two superstars. Beyond Darnell Nurse, the roster consists mostly of support players who complement McDavid and Draisaitl.

This reliance on a few key players is unsustainable for Stanley Cup contention. It's time for Edmonton to construct a well-rounded team that doesn't solely rely on the extraordinary talents of two individuals.