Edmonton Oilers to Acquire Goaltending Depth

The Edmonton Oilers were dealt some news this week as the team lost third-string goalie Anton Forsberg on waivers as the Carolina Hurricanes swooped in and claimed him.

The Oilers signed Forsberg to a one-year deal worth $700,000 and signed him just to be on their taxi-squad as goaltending depth is the new premium around the league. The good news for the Oil is the fact the Hurricanes are going to want to move Forsberg to their own taxi-squad and will have to waive him to do so. The Oilers could beat the 'Canes at their own game.

The 28-year-old Forsberg has always been a depth option over his career and last season appeared in three games for the Hurricanes posting a 3.35 goals against average and a .897 save percentage. The biggest chunk of his career was spent in 2018 when Forsberg appeared in 35 games for the Chicago Blackhawks.

If the Oilers don't re-claim Forsberg, expect the team to look at other veteran options as the team is trying to avoid having Stuart Skinner as their third goaltender. With the AHL season starting a little bit later into the year, Skinner is destined for the minor leagues. 

With Jimmy Howard and Mike Condon being the only veterans who are left on the free agent market, look for the Oilers to creep the waiver wire on a regular basis early on this season.

Photo credit:  Jaylynn Nash/Icon Sportswire