Oilers' Mike Smith considering retirement
After last night's elimination loss to the Colorado Avalanche, the roster evaluation to be better for next year has already begun. Throughout the season, fans and media had lobbied for an upgrade at the starting goalie position. Now, a 40 year old Mike Smith may force the Oilers' hand.
According to Jason Gregor, Mike Smith is considering retirement. Gregor draws this conclusion from sources close to Smith, as well as the emotional nature of the goaltender throughout the playoff run, and during the locker clean out availability.
Smith, while ranked 6th through the season in save percentage, was somewhat notorious for being unreliable. He seemed to give the Oilers unbelievable performances stained by a back-breaking weak goal at the worst time.
With a 3.37 Goals Against Average in the playoffs as well, the Oilers should look to upgrade at the position regardless of Smith retires or stays. The team has internal options to promote Mikko Koskinen or prospect Stuart Skinner, buts it's likely the team explores an upgrade in trade or free agency.
Potentially available to Edmonton would be Jack Campbell, John Gibson, Darcy Kuemper, Marc-Andre Fleury, and Brayden Holtby. There are other options available, but it's a relatively weak class of available goalies.
| POLL | ||
JUIN 8 | 364 ANSWERS Oilers' Mike Smith considering retirement Should Mike Smith retire? | ||
| Yes | 299 | 82.1 % |
| No | 65 | 17.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
![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")
