Edmonton Oilers could get a new goalie coach this summer: report
The Edmonton Oilers have already lost one coach in Glen Gulutzan this offseason, and another might be out the door as well.
After yet another season where the Oilers’ goaltending caused all sorts of controversy, a change to how they handle their goalies could be on the horizon. Edmonton’s current goalie coach, Dustin Schwartz, has been with the team since the 2014-15 season, but his time with the Oilers may be coming to an end.
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported on the latest 32 Thoughts podcast that the Oilers are considering a change at the goalie coach position.
“I do think Edmonton is considering a change at the goalie coach position,” Friedman said. “Some of their other assistant coaches need contracts… but I do think one of the things they are gonna consider is a change at the goalie coach.”
Schwartz has overseen the Oilers’ goaltending for over a decade now, but they have failed to develop a consistent starting goalie over that time.
Cam Talbot looked to have potential for a few years, but crashed out and eventually found himself traded after a few seasons. Mikko Koskinen was another goaltender who couldn’t find his stride, Jack Campbell imploded less than a season into his Edmonton tenure, and now Stuart Skinner is throwing up a bunch of question marks.
Before coming to the Oilers, Schwartz had worked with the WHL’s Edmonton Oil Kings as a goaltending consultant. He got his start as a goaltending coach with the AJHL’s Spruce Grove Saints. He replaced the previous Oilers goaltending coach, Frederic Chabot.
One name that could be of interest to Edmonton is Ian Clarke. The longtime Vancouver Canucks goalie coach is no longer an on-ice coach, but he could be brought in to potentially start a larger-scale department focused on goaltending. His relationship with the Canucks reportedly soured last summer and he could potentially be poached.
That, however, remains to be seen as both Oilers GM Stan Bowman and head coach Kris Knoblauch have a lot to think about going into the new season.