Varlamov is definitely better than Smith. Yeah it’d be Varly+ . But apparently Mike freaking Smith is better so I’ll just stop arguing with someone that thinks that lol

If they can't afford JP, how on earth could they fit in a starting goalie??

Moneypuck's GSAx/60

2021-22
Smith: +0.281
Varlamov: +0.023

2020-21
Smith: +0.468
Varlamov: +0.077

Keep him.

you would probably have to make another trade like a kassian or foegle.

... so then they could afford Puljujarvi.

yes they could if they do that. nothing guarantees they would so still might not be able to afford him.

The goalie would still be addressing a need and reallocating the $ to that need.

end of the day i think they do go with smith/skinner but I see alot of down side to that. Smith has the ablility to play great but is older and cannot handle more than 60% of the starts IMO that leaves 40% of the starts to skinner is he ready for that I dont know... he has barely played in the NHL. Seems like a huge gamble and that doesnt even include injuries which with mike smith is probably bound to happen as it has the last 2 years....

so yes could they move out $ to FIt JP probably but i dont think they would over pay to create that space. Could i See them using JP and create space for a goalie absolutely HOlland has tried to address it every year.

do they go hard after kuemper if he makes it to UFA? I think they would
or husso or fluery even do they look at campbell there continue to be rumors about JArry. If im HOlland I look into each of these...

Puljujarvi should be the Oilers #1 priority in the offseason. Here's why.

He's among the very best in the league in on-ice impact:

CF% Rel: 4th among all forwards
FF% Rel: 5th
SF% Rel: 4th
GF% Rel: 5th
xGF% Rel: 3rd

NST link

You don't trade a 23-year-old who has a top-5 impact in the entire league, especially when he's relatively affordable. There's no logical justification for it.

It's commonly known that JP has been playing through an injury during the playoffs.

regardless at this time of year virtually eveyone is playing through something. if he is that impactful his usage should not have completely tanked.

He is playing 7 minutes less per game than Yamo. who has more impact on the full game as he plays PP he PKS and he isnt afraid to get involved physically while producing the same if not more than JP
he is playing 10mintues less per game than KAne who has been massive in the playoffs. not only for the amount of goals he has scored but physcial play and virtual silenced a 100 point player the last series.

So as i Said
1. Kane
2. yamo
3. JP

Again, he's playing with an injury. Yamamoto and Kane are not. This isn't hard.

neither is the production of the other 2 they just bring more to the game in more areas.

That doesn't even make sense. Try that in English please?

it is not hard to see the Kane and yamamoto bring more to the game in different elements....

the other 2 have shown they are superior at putting the puck into the net.
the other 2 have shown they are far more physical than JP
The other 2 have killed Penalties
the other 2 have shown up for the playoffs JP has not. ( I have heard nothing about an injury nor have heard any reporter talk about it) Please find me a source?

To rest your argument solely on Natural stat trick and possession number is incredibly naive. There are plenty of analytic darlings out there that dont have the impact people hope.

hope this was easier for you to understand i know it can be tough