Oilers make search for goalie top priority, GM says

MONTREAL — The Edmonton Oilers’ search for another goalie is their top priority, GM Ken Holland said Friday.

“I need one. I’ve got to get one. It’s as simple as that,” Holland told NHL.com at the conclusion of the 2022 Upper Deck NHL Draft at Bell Centre. “There’s a lot of things we’d like to get done, but none of that can really be addressed until the goalie situation gets ironed out. That’s the focus.”

With the free agent market opening Wednesday, two goalies who are expected to be available are Stanley Cup winning goalie Darcy Kuemper of the Colorado Avalanche, and Jack Campbell of the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Oilers could also try to add via trade, but Holland said they are limited in draft capital or prospects they can offer in return.

Mikko Koskinen, who went 27-12-4 with a 3.10 goals-against average and .903 save percentage this season, signed a two-year contract with HC Lugano of the Swiss Elite League on June 13. He was 0-2 with a 4.02 GAA and .897 save percentage in three relief appearances in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Holland said Thursday that Mike Smith, who was 16-9-2 with a 2.81 GAA and .915 save percentage, has not decided if he’ll be back next season. There is also the option that Smith, who turned 40 in March and has one season remaining on a two-year contract, could be placed on long-term injured reserve, which would give the Oilers more salary-cap space. A variety of injuries limited Smith to five games in the first half of the season.

Edmonton also has Stuart Skinner, who was 6-6-0 with a 2.62 GAA and a .913 save percentage in 13 games (12 starts).

“We’re pleased with the way Stuart has developed and played,” Holland said of Skinner. “But he’s the only goalie we’ve got right now, and at best, he’s a 1B.

“Again, I need a goalie. Some guys moved in trades today. Ville Husso went to Detroit. (Vitek) Vanecek went to New Jersey from Washington. Marc-Andre Fleury was re-signed by Minnesota. So, there’s a lot that went on. Whatever the case, we’ve got to get one.”

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The Oilers created some cap space when forward Zach Kassian was traded to the Arizona Coyotes, along with the No. 29 pick in the 2022 draft (defenseman Maveric Lamoureux), a second-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, and a second-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, for the No. 32 pick (forward Reid Schaefer) on Thursday.

“But I have to put that money towards (defenseman) Darnell Nurse,” Holland said….