Trade deadline

Ken Holland already said that the Oilers would not be giving 1sts for rentals.

Last summer Ken Holland gambled on Mike Smith staying healthy and Mikko Koskinen being able to provide solid backup for 30 games or so, the results of that bet speak for themselves. Given the cap implications, this season it has been unlikely that the Oilers would make a serious play for an elite goaltender. Smith has put up a couple of really strong performances in his last two starts, and is looking like the goaltender he was last season. That reduces the odds of a major trade even further. Its difficult to imagine that the Oilers will maintain the sound defensive game that helped them dominate the Sharks and defeat the Kings, and probably unrealistic to expect Mike Smith to consistently steal games like he did against the Islanders. However, if he maintains his strong play for the next 32 days I don't think Edmonton will be acquiring a goaltender. Oiler fans will have to accept the ongoing tension, worry, and intrigue.