Edmonton Oilers Facing Tough Decision to Open the Season

The Edmonton Oilers will open up the 2023-24 NHL season next week and currently aren't sure which goaltender will be starting. After a disappointing season last year, Jack Campbell has found his form in preseason and is making the Oilers coaching staff's decision very hard heading into the season. Campbell or Stuart Skinner? At this point it's still open.

Oilers coach Jay Woodcroft recently commented on his crease and mentioned the starter's job is still very much in play. He spoke to the media earlier this week and had this to say:

I don't think that I have all the information to make that decision just yet. 'm not gonna lay out my process in making that decision. We're realists and we understand that we need both goalies - it's a two-goalie league now. We have 1A and 1B, and they're going to sort out who's who. They both are gonna get another (preseason) game here to sort that out and make my decision easy. I think (Campbell) went into the summer with a clear frame of mind on what he wanted to get better at. He appears to me to be very relaxed. He's letting the game come to him, he's made numerous great saves. He's in a good headspace, he's in a good physical space. ... What a guy to be partnered up with

Skinner was a finalist for the Calder trophy last season as the league's best rookie, posting a record of 29-14-5, along with a .914 save percentage. Meanwhile while Skinner started every Stanley Cup Playoff game, Campbell appeared four times and posted a 1.01 GAA and .961 Sv.%.

The Oilers have one more preseason game slated for Friday against the Seattle Kraken and then the decision will be made on who leads the team into the 2023-24 season, full of lofty expectations.