Oilers GM Sets Clear Objective This Offseason

The Edmonton Oilers have one priority this offseason, find a starting goaltender. General manager Ken Holland has laid it all out for the rest of the league as the Oilers are going to be active in the free-agent market and also be keeping their eyes on what trade possibilities exist for the franchise.

Oilers general manager Ken Holland recently spoke with NHL.com's Mike Zeisberger and had this to say about his intentions this offseason:

I need one. I've got to get one. It's as simple as that. 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.

While youngster Stuart Skinner showed enough to be a decent backup option from his performance last season, the likes of Mike Smith and Mikko Koskinen are no longer options in Edmonton. The Oilers have Jack Campbell and Darcy Kuemper at the top of their list and expect to see contract offers made on July 13 when free agency kicks off. The team has been busy freeing up cap space, as they've sent Zack Kassian and his $3.2 million cap hit to the Arizona Coyotes, meanwhile veteran defenseman Duncan Keith retired and saved the Oilers $5.5 million the next two seasons.

Holland has some more money to work with and now has no excuses when it comes to landing a goalie. The market is ripe for the taking and it will either be Campbell or Kuemper in Edmonton next season and beyond.