Oilers Ink Koskinen to Three-Year Extension

The Edmonton Oilers have reportedly agreed to a three-year contract extension with goaltender Mikko Koskinen. The deal is expected to carry an average annual value of $4.5-million. It would keep Koskinen signed through the 2021-22 season.

Originally a second-round pick of the Islanders in 2009, Koskinen would play just four games for New York before leaving for the KHL in 2013. His tenure in Russia’s penultimate hockey league was highlighted by a stellar 2017-18 campaign with St. Petersburg SKA. The 30-year-old registered a .937 SV% and 1.57 GAA in 29 games, leading to the one-year, $2.5-million contract he signed with the Oilers in May.

Time’s Up for Talbot

Koskinen has been steady in goal for the Oilers this season, logging a 14-10-1 record and a .911 SV%. He’s stolen the starting job and essentially brought an end to the Cam Talbot era in Edmonton. Talbot’s posted an abysmal .894 SV% and 3.27 GAA in 27 games this season. His contract is set to expire at the end of the year. Koskinen’s extension all but guarantees Talbot won’t be with the Oilers next season.

Edmonton’s next move could be to try to move Talbot’s expiring contract before the deadline, but it won’t be easy. Talbot carries a $4.16-million cap-hit that would be difficult for any contending team to absorb. On top of that, his contract includes a limited no-movement clause that kicked in at the start of the season. Talbot can submit a list of up to 10 teams that he cannot be traded to. It might make more sense for Edmonton keep the added-insurance in goal for their own playoff push. The Oilers currently sit three points out of the final Western Conference Wild Card spot.