The Edmonton Oilers' quest to solidify their goaltending has hit a potential roadblock in trade discussions with the St. Louis Blues. While speculation has been swirling around a possible deal involving Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington, a wrench may have been thrown into the works due to the teams' recent history.
The Oilers' need for a reliable netminder has become increasingly apparent, with Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard struggling to provide consistent performances. This urgency has fueled rumors linking them to Binnington, a veteran goalie who led the Blues to a Stanley Cup victory in 2019.
Sportsnet insider Nick Kypreos recently suggested that the Oilers and Blues were connected in a potential trade that would send Skinner to St. Louis and Binnington to Edmonton. Kypreos further elaborated on the "Kyper and Bourne Show," highlighting Binnington's competitiveness and his existing chemistry with Connor McDavid from the 4 Nations Face-Off as potential assets for the Oilers. He also noted that the Blues are unlikely to offer Binnington a long-term deal, making him a viable trade candidate.
However, TSN insider Chris Johnston has introduced a complicating factor: the offer sheets the Blues extended to Oilers prospects Dylan Holloway and Philip Broberg in the past. According to Johnston, this history could create friction and hinder negotiations between the two teams. "I had someone suggest to me though this week, that they don't think there's any way the Oilers and the Blues can make that kind of trade, given the recent history with the offer sheets," Johnston stated.
Despite this potential snag, a trade between the Oilers and Blues should not be entirely ruled out, especially considering both teams' desperation to improve their current situations. The Oilers are under pressure to contend for a Stanley Cup, and the Blues may be looking to retool their roster.
Several factors could still facilitate a deal. One is the possibility of involving other players to sweeten the pot. There was speculation that the Oilers were trying to get the Blues to add a defenseman in the deal. Justin Faulk was mentioned as a potential target. Another factor is Binnington's contract as he has one year remaining on his $6 million per year deal. To make the deal work, the Oilers would need to clear cap space.
Ultimately, whether the Oilers and Blues can overcome their past disagreements remains to be seen. The potential acquisition of Binnington could provide the Oilers with the goaltending stability they desperately need, but navigating the complexities of their relationship will be crucial to making any deal a reality.
