The big issue with the Edmonton Oilers over the offseason seemed to be the Leon Draisaitl contract negotiations. That topic received the most extensive media coverage regarding the Oilers and ultimately the contract negotiations culminated into a long-term deal for the young forward, a resolution that many saw coming. But perhaps an issue that was overlooked to a fair degree with Edmonton was the situation in goal for the upcoming season. Cam Talbot, Edmonton's No. 1 goaltender, logged a lot of game time last year, so much that arguably he was fortunate not to pick up an injury.
Edmonton's Head Coach, Todd Mclellan, spoke to the media after day three of Training Camp and he addressed the topic of Talbot and his workload.
McLellan didn't want to talk numbers
During the interview, McLellan backed away from talking about numbers. Last year Talbot had an incredible 73 starts during the regular season, a total that most netminders wouldn't be able to take while still maintaining a high level of play. When the Oilers' coach discussed the issue of Talbot's workload for his starting goaltender in the upcoming season McLellan mentioned performance and fatigue as variables to consider. In regard to performance, McLellan was cut and dry: "If he's not playing well," he said, "he's not going to go all of the time.
If he's playing well, we're going to ride him a lot." When it comes to fatigue, McLellan said that it "comes into play." Typically NHL coaches rest their regularly starting goaltenders during one-half of a back-to-back situation.
The fates of NHL teams certainly can hinge on the success and health of their top goaltenders. Montreal fans, during the 2015/16 season, saw their team start hot behind the amazing play of starting goalie Carey Price.
But as he went down with injury so too went Montreal that season as they plummeted fast in the standings after Price went out. Then last year, with Price healthy the whole season long, the Canadiens won the Atlantic Division just as they had threatened to do in the previous season before losing their starter.
What will Brossoit do for Edmonton?
Cam Talbot isn't Carey Price and the Oilers are star-studded in their skaters as opposed to in goal. But the lesson from Montreal is worth considering because Edmonton's backup goaltender situation is a question mark. Laurent Brossoit is the No. 2 goaltender, a 24-year old netminder who only appeared in eight games last season. McLellan clearly sees a two-goaltender situation as a key to success from 2017/18. He seemed to sum up his opinion on goaltending with the following remark: "We just want to make sure we have two goaltenders that are healthy, playing at the top of their game, and giving us a chance to win."
Does Brossoit bring enough injury insurance to the Oilers?
His goals-against average from last season would suggest that he does as it was very low at 1.99. However, that average was only earned in eight appearances. There is certainly a question with Edmonton as to whether they have the two-goaltender situation that McLellan seems to desire. With so much depth with their forwards, it's goaltending depth that appears to be Edmonton's weak point. That's a weak point that can stay hidden if Talbot doesn't get hurt. But Brossoit logging 15+ starts could be a big part of that so that Talbot doesn't have to play in over 70 games again.
