Edmonton Oilers veteran's career expected to be over due to injury
There has been lots of talk surrounding the Edmonton Oilers and their situation in goal. But it sounds like things may have just gotten a bit more complicated or clear, depending on your view of the situation. Mike Smith may not retire anytime soon, but injury may put him on LTIR for cap relief.
Discussing the challenges of playing through injuries during the season and playoffs, it sounds like he may need time to heal.
«It was fun to make the playoffs and go on a run like we did, but playing through injuries for the majority of the season is not easy. I don't know where I'm going to be four months from now. I got a lot of stuff to deal with.»
Smith was the starting goalie for the Oilers in the off-season, as Mikko Koskinen went to Switzerland to play for HC Lugano, which no doubt placed a heavier burden upon Smith.
With the Oilers' asking Smith about his retirement status by tomorrow(July 1st) moving him to LTIR would save money on the cap and allow them to pick up other goalies on the market. Here are 2 available and ready for a raise:
St. Louis Blues, Ville Husso is available and ready to get a raise, even as an unproven goalie, he'd be an upgrade. Husso is looking for a pay-day, with his performance in the playoffs being notable.
The St. Louis Blues are getting solid goaltending this season from Ville Husso. He has outplayed a struggling Jordan Binnington to seize the starter's job with a record of 22-6-5, a 2.38 goals-against average, and a save percentage of .924. Also available is Jack Campbell, who is also looking for a raise, being an UFA and putting up a solid stat line this year:
His numbers overall were not terrible, considering in 49 games he was 31-9-6 with a .914 save percentage (SV%) and a 2.64 goals-against average (GAA).
Despite his inconsistency, it was reported that Campbell was looking for $5 Million and with the Maple Leafs' cap issues, it doesn't seem like the team sees eye to eye on the raise.
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Previously on Bladeofsteel
![Feb 15, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada forward Sam Bennett (9) and Team United States forward Brady Tkachuk (7) fight in the first period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images](https://i.marqueur.com/habsetlnh/medium/532460.webp "Feb 15, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada forward Sam Bennett (9) and Team United States forward Brady Tkachuk (7) fight in the first period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images")
![Feb 20, 2025; Boston, MA, USA; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team USA forward Brady Tkachuk (7) celebrates scoring against Team Canada during the first period during the 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey championship game at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images](https://i.marqueur.com/habsetlnh/medium/532257.webp "Feb 20, 2025; Boston, MA, USA; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team USA forward Brady Tkachuk (7) celebrates scoring against Team Canada during the first period during the 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey championship game at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images")
![Feb 12, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada defenseman Josh Morrissey (44) looks on against Team Sweden in the second period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images](https://i.marqueur.com/habsetlnh/medium/532130.webp "Feb 12, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada defenseman Josh Morrissey (44) looks on against Team Sweden in the second period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images")
