The Edmonton Oilers were predicted to be near the top of the Pacific Division standings prior to the start of the 2023–24 season, but they have experienced some major problems that have caused them to be near the middle of the standings. The Oilers were near the bottom of the league standings due to some poor goaltending, a lack of emphasis on defensive play, and a lack of scoring from depth forwards; fortunately, they have started to rise back up. It’s been a wild start to the season because the team decided to rotate their coaching staff and send down the goalie who should have started.
As I did the previous season, I’ll be examining some possible trade targets for the Oilers in the run-up to the trade deadline, taking into account both their current needs and the actions of other teams in the league. The San Jose Sharks’ goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood is one player the Oilers might think about acquiring. If anyone has followed the standings this season, they know the Sharks are likely going to finish last in the NHL and will most likely be selling players to raise draft capital and acquire assets to start constructing for the future.
One of the Oilers’ main concerns has been between the pipes. While Stuart Skinner has been strong and Calvin Pickard has bought the team some time to relax with his play rather than panic and overpay for a goalie that might not be the right fit. Blackwood has been excellent with the Sharks this season and is likely one of the only reasons the team has as many wins as they do. Even on a bad team, he stands out as the best player on the team and keeps his team in it. While the Sharks aren’t great and are usually outshot heavily, he has been their saving grace, so he will likely have plenty of trade value.
Blackwood would be exactly what the Oilers need, except he’d be a tough player to trade for because of their tight salary cap situation. Assuming they’re able to make it work though, they should be reaching out to the Sharks and seeing what it would take to bring him in. His ability to help teams win games isn’t something he’s been able to showcase this season but on an offensive powerhouse like the Oilers, he might begin to look like an elite-level goaltender.
Who Is Mackenzie Blackwood & Is He An Upgrade?
Blackwood is a 27-year-old goaltender from Thunder Bay, Ontario currently playing with the Sharks. He was drafted by the New Jersey Devils in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft in the second round at 42nd overall after a strong season in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) with the Barrie Colts. In his draft year, he posted a 3.09 goals-against average (GAA) and a .906 save percentage (SV%) through 51 games. He returned to the Colts the following season and put up a much better stat line posting a 2.72 GAA and a .921 SV% through 43 games.
Blackwood also had the opportunity to play for his native Canada in the 2015–16 campaign, where he went three games with a 3.95 GAA and a.859 SV% at the U20 World Junior Championship. During the 2016–17 season, he made his professional debut with the Albany Devils, playing in the American Hockey League (AHL). That season, he played in 36 AHL games and recorded a 2.55 GAA and a.907 SV%.
Blackwood didn’t play in the NHL until the 2018–19 season, when he split the season between the NHL and AHL and finished with a 2.61 GAA and a.918 SV% in his first 23 games. The following season, he earned a spot in the NHL on a full-time basis season. He played 152 games with the Devils before they traded him to the Sharks. Over his entire career split between the two, he has played a total of 175 games and posted a 3.09 GAA and a .903 SV%.
Blackwood has played in 23 games this season with a 3.92 GAA and a.889 SV%. Though his numbers don’t quite match those of the Oilers’ current goaltending tandem, he has been putting up mediocre performances on the NHL’s worst team. Although the Oilers are by no means the best defensive team in the league, they have been gradually getting better on defence under the direction of new assistant coach Paul Coffey. I believe Blackwood’s numbers would skyrocket and he could establish himself as one of the best goalies in the league if he were to sign with a considerably superior defensive team.
The most difficult part will be bringing in Blackwood. Without making some financial moves, the Oilers cannot afford his $2.35 million cap hit. Fortunately, the Sharks may express interest in a number of players, including Cody Ceci and Warren Foegele, who could make the deal profitable for both parties. In any case, the Oilers ought to try even though it won’t be simple to make work.
What Happens To The Oilers Next?
The Oilers must continue to concentrate solely on winning games and climbing the Pacific Division standings, regardless of what they do in the future. Tonight’s game against the Philadelphia Flyers should be a good litmus test for the team, but ultimately, they’ll have to determine if they want to go all-in and acquire a goalie, or be left upset when this current roster isn’t able to bring the franchise their first Stanley Cup since 1990.
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