Report: Edmonton and Montreal in negotiations regarding Jake Allen

Jack Campbell is in the AHL and Calvin Pickard and Stuart Skinner are 1A/1B for an apparent Stanley Cup contender.

That's how things are playing out for the Edmonton Oilers less than a dozen games into the 2023-24 NHL season.

Yikes.

It makes you wonder, 'what's next?'

How do the Oilers fix this? What kind of wizardry does GM Ken Holland have to pull to fix this team's woes in goal? There have been reports that Holland is interested in the likes of John Gibson of the Anaheim Ducks or Jake Allen of the Montreal Canadiens, but that's mostly speculation. Today though, Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman reports on three potential options in Jordan Binnington (St. Louis Blues), Jake Allen (Montreal Canadiens) and Juuse Saros (Nasville Predators).

From Friedman's 32 Thoughts column earlier today:

I do think they are contemplating things, looking at several options. There’ve been reports of Jordan Binnington, but unless the Blues are giving up on the season, they need to replace him and won’t be taking Campbell. Binnington’s also a $6-million cap hit, which would take quite a bit of finagling. Not impossible, but challenging. They’ve talked to Montreal — which doesn’t need a goalie — about the possibility of Jake Allen, but I don’t sense anything imminent. Watching Juuse Saros almost single-handedly beat the Flames on Tuesday reminds that he’s the true prize, but in addition to any return, it might cost the team an 18-wheeler full of Alberta crude and media-meal perogies.

We will see where this goes, including if the Oilers look at one major trade to deal with multiples issues. For example, a goalie and a defenceman. Or, a goalie and a depth forward with some edge. Another thing to remember: Canada is on a lot of no-trade lists.

- Elliotte Friedman

To me, Binnington doesnt' make much sense. The Blues aren't going to give up on their season just yet and would need a goalie in return, Campbell simply won't cut it. 

Saros though... he's a viable option. The thing is, he's going to cost an absolute FORTUNE to acquire via trade.

Again, to me the goalie who makes the most sense here is probably Allen. What's most interesting to me about Friedman's report though is that he states the two teams have already been in discussions regarding Allen. The only issue I'd have is, does Allen represent a clear upgrade over what the team already has? In theory he COULD be an upgrade but nothing is guaranteed. Binnington and Saros are both obvious upgrades, but Allen isn't exactly a bonafide #1 starting goaltender. I feel like if Holland and the Oilers went hard after Allen then they still might find themselves struggling to keep the puck out of the net.

Thoughts, Oilers fans?