Earlier this week, the Edmonton Oilers made a significant acquisition by trading for goaltender Tristan Jarry from the Pittsburgh Penguins, a move that had been widely anticipated. Before finalizing the deal with Pittsburgh, the Oilers also explored the possibility of acquiring another goalie, Buffalo Sabers’ Alex Lyon.
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported that aside from Jarry, the Oilers showed some interest in Lyon, though it wasn’t as serious. Lyon’s name has come up in trade talks because of the Sabers’ crowded goaltending roster, which includes Lyon, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, and Kolten Ellis, alongside AHL prospect Devon Levi. This depth has led to speculation that Buffalo might consider trading one of its goalies before the deadline.
Ultimately, Edmonton secured Jarry, which is seen as a major upgrade. If they had chosen Lyon instead, he would likely have served as a secondary or backup goaltender. Lyon had a decent year despite playing for a struggling Sabers team, recording a 5-6-3 record, a .902 save percentage, a 3.13 goals-against average, and one shutout over 16 games.
Fan Take: This trade is crucial for Oilers fans who have been seeking stability in net, and Jarry’s addition could significantly impact their playoff aspirations. For the sport, it highlights the ongoing chess match teams play in shoring up key positions to gain a competitive edge.
