Jaroslav Halak talks to the Oilers

The Edmonton Oilers need a (good) goalie. I’m sorry to have thrown you off balance so fiercely this morning, but I’m the bearer of truth on this Wednesday morning in November.

We know that Oilers management is looking to Montreal in particular to see if there might be a way of getting along with the Habs, who have a surplus of goalies on hand.

We shouldn’ t necessarily expect Jake Allen to leave for Alberta, and I don’t know how realistic the possibility of Samuel Montembeault or Cayden Primeau leaving for Edmonton is, but hey.

In reality, you can expect the Edmonton Oilers to talk to quite a few teams who have an extra goalie… and even those who don’t have a surplus.

But don’t forget that not all available goalies are under contract. Jaroslav Halak, who is no longer in the Hurricanes’ environment after spending time training with the club, is free as a bird.

And of course, the Oilers have been talking to the goalie’s clan.

INSIDER TRADING with @DarrenDreger, @PierreVLeBrun & @reporterchris…

– Laine & frustrated #CBJ
– Kane in final stage of decision
– NHL & Mexico City
– Sigh of relief for Panthers/Barkov
– Struggling #MNWild
– What’s next for Halak

WATCH: https://t.co/zyQPswEeau

– TSN Hockey (@TSNHockey) November 21, 2023

Pierre LeBrun, who reported the news on the Insider Trading segment, says that there’s no need to assume that the former Canadiens goaltender will end up in Edmonton. Quite the contrary, in fact.

But it’s an interesting option for a club in desperate need of a goalkeeper.

In fact, Halak left the Hurricanes because the Carolina club wanted to see him play a few games in the AHL, to get back into the swing of things after months of inactivity.

But the goalie didn’t want to.

That doesn’t mean he won’t end up in Carolina: the door is still open. But what it does mean is that he can now talk to other teams to see if he can play in the NHL this season. And clearly, the Oilers are a possibility.

The Oilers’ #1 plan would undoubtedly be to see Jack Campbell succeed in the AHL, he who finally did well last night down there… but let’s just say that nothing is less certain, right now.

Jack Campbell gets the first star of the game and a shutout for Bakersfield

(via @Condors) pic.twitter.com/jsmRNxWK5x

– BarDown (@BarDown) November 22, 2023

In bursts

– For those who want to go through a wall.

Now everyone has seen…
Never doubt us again…#Alouettes | #GreyCup https://t.co/EggCjLJlsO pic.twitter.com/pOauZ6NEdJ

– Montreal Alouettes (@MTLAlouettes) November 21, 2023

– Michel Villeneuve defends himself against Marie-Claude Savard’s comments about him.

Honestly, the only memory I have of Ms. Savard is her appearance on Salut Bonjour. She never caught my eye when I was covering events. Sorry! https://t.co/317lT6QhoO

– Michel Villeneuve (@lederniervrai) November 22, 2023

– Good: he doesn’t have to.

NO ONE ASKED DEQUOY TO APOLOGIZE

Read Réjean Tremblay’s latest Editorial HERE https://t.co/uxD1BSPn90 pic.twitter.com/tAu6EYbHHQ

– BPM Sports (@BPMSportsRadio) November 22, 2023

– He can do more.

In fact, had it not been for his manager, he possibly could have stolen a lot more this year. https://t.co/a2KYGOvVnd

– Passion MLB (@passion_mlb) November 22, 2023

– Patrice Bergeron enjoys retirement.

Patrice Bergeron at peace: Bruins legend has no regrets amid a quiet retirement of playgrounds and carpools. My latest for@TheAthletic https://t.co/3g6qx6lRZN