NHL legend: “If you have to take a suspension, take one.” The Oilers need to better safeguard their goalies

The role of the goaltender in hockey is one that often goes underappreciated, yet it is the cornerstone of a team’s success. Goalies are tasked with standing between the posts, often enduring relentless pressure and taking physical punishment in order to keep their team in the game. While goaltenders may not score goals, their ability to stop pucks is just as vital as any forward’s ability to score them. However, in today’s NHL, goalies often find themselves in vulnerable positions, particularly with the increasing level of physicality and aggression around the net.

The Edmonton Oilers, a team with playoff aspirations, have recently found themselves in a situation where their goalies have been targeted and subjected to avoidable physical threats. As a result, NHL legend and former player has weighed in on the importance of standing up for one’s goaltender, even if it means taking a suspension. “If you have to take a suspension, take one,” the legend said. This bold statement highlights the urgent need for teams to better protect their goaltenders, and it raises the question: do the Oilers have the right mindset to safeguard their most important player on the ice?

The Vulnerability of NHL Goalies

In hockey, the goaltender is often left out of the scrum in the defensive zone. While players in the crease often battle for position, goalies remain stationary, staring down oncoming shots. The nature of the position requires goalies to be as focused and agile as possible, but this leaves them more susceptible to being bumped, shoved, or even deliberately interfered with. The game’s physicality can sometimes cross the line, and while referees are tasked with calling penalties, not all infractions are penalized in real time. This opens the door for more aggressive and dangerous plays that go unpunished.

Unlike players who can rely on the protection of their teammates during offensive or defensive engagements, goalies are often left to fend for themselves. This leaves them open to cheap shots, cross-checks, and unprovoked interference that can have long-term effects on their performance, if not their health. This vulnerability has become an increasingly problematic issue in the NHL, particularly for teams like the Edmonton Oilers, who rely heavily on their goaltending to get them through the high-stakes moments of a playoff push.

As the game of hockey becomes more fast-paced and aggressive, protecting a team’s goalie is becoming a critical responsibility for the defensemen and even the forwards. This responsibility is not just about physical defense but also about mental preparation. When a goalie is interfered with or attacked, it is up to their teammates to step in and respond. But unfortunately, this hasn’t always been the case, and teams like the Oilers have been at the receiving end of these lapses in protection.

The Oilers’ Goaltending Situation

The Edmonton Oilers are a team that has high hopes for the postseason, especially with superstars like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl leading the charge offensively. However, despite their explosive attack, one area where the Oilers have consistently struggled is in net. Goaltending has been a significant issue for the Oilers over the past several years, and while they have made strides in securing more consistent performances, the position remains vulnerable, particularly in the face of aggressive opponents.

This season, the Oilers have relied on Stuart Skinner, the young and talented goaltender, to take the reins as the starting goalie. Skinner has shown flashes of brilliance, earning the confidence of the coaching staff and his teammates. However, he has also faced challenges, including a few uncharacteristic performances and some physical challenges, including injuries and collisions that have added stress to his already difficult job. The constant threat of being knocked out of position or getting run over by opposing players leaves Skinner with one more thing to worry about on top of stopping pucks. These threats often go unpunished unless they are blatant, and even then, referees sometimes miss the calls or choose not to act swiftly enough to protect the goalie.

On the other hand, veteran goaltender Jack Campbell, who has struggled with consistency and injuries, has not been a reliable option when Skinner has needed relief. With two goaltenders on the roster who are not always able to stay healthy and perform at a high level, the Oilers’ ability to go far in the playoffs is partly contingent on ensuring that their goalies are kept out of harm’s way.

NHL Legend’s Comments: A Call for Accountability

In light of the physicality and intensity surrounding the goaltender position, an NHL legend has come forward to stress the importance of team responsibility in protecting the goalie. “If you have to take a suspension, take one,” the former star said. This statement is a call to action for both the Oilers and teams across the league. The legend, who was known for his toughness and leadership on the ice, emphasized that goalies are the backbone of any team’s success in the playoffs, and therefore, they should be shielded from unnecessary harm.

While the idea of taking a suspension is not a message that is given lightly, the context of the NHL legend’s remarks is important. Often, teams don’t respond fast enough to protect their goalies when dirty plays or dangerous interference occur. For the Oilers, this is a recurring issue. If a goalie is taken out of a game due to injury or is unable to perform at their best because of a lack of protection, the team’s chances of winning are severely diminished. When these situations arise, a player must be willing to step up and deliver the physical response necessary to send a message to the opposition.

Though suspensions for physical altercations are costly, especially for a team with championship aspirations, they sometimes send the clearest message: we will protect our own. Whether it’s dropping the gloves with a player who has targeted the goalie or simply standing up to aggressive play in front of the net, the team’s willingness to sacrifice for the goalie can have a profound effect on their success down the stretch.

Why the Oilers Need to Safeguard Their Goalies

While the Oilers’ offensive firepower is undeniably potent, their success in the postseason ultimately hinges on the play of their goaltenders. In the fast-paced, often chaotic environment of playoff hockey, it is the goaltender who can either be the hero or the reason a team falters. A hot goalie can steal games and series, while an injured or rattled goalie can be a team’s undoing. In many ways, the goalie is the most important player on the ice during the playoffs, and the Oilers must do everything in their power to ensure that their goaltenders are not unnecessarily exposed.

In previous seasons, teams like the Oilers have seen their goaltenders fall victim to aggressive forechecks, cross-checks, and cheap shots—most notably around the crease. With the amount of traffic that tends to accumulate in front of the net, goalies are forced to fight for every save they make, and they are often subjected to physical play that goes unnoticed or under-punished by referees. This is where the Oilers need to step up, ensuring that they don’t leave their goalies unprotected during high-stress moments.

Defenders like Darnell Nurse and Cody Ceci need to be more proactive in clearing the crease and engaging with players who make excessive contact with Skinner or Campbell. Forwards like Zach Hyman and Evander Kane must also do their part by engaging physically when necessary and defending their goaltenders in situations where tempers flare. The mentality must shift from merely defending the net to actively protecting the goalie in all situations, ensuring that every player on the team is willing to step up when needed.

The Importance of Team Cohesion and Mentality

The Oilers are undoubtedly a talented team, but talent alone won’t guarantee success in the postseason. The team’s overall mentality—especially when it comes to protecting their goaltenders—will be a crucial factor in their ability to perform when the stakes are at their highest. Hockey is a team sport, and while the offense and defense are essential, the protection of the goalie requires a collective effort that transcends the traditional roles of players.

The Oilers must adopt a mentality where every member of the team takes on the responsibility of safeguarding their goalie. This mindset should be ingrained in every player from the coaching staff to the youngest members of the roster. The Oilers should also invest in creating a culture where the protection of the goalie is treated as a non-negotiable aspect of the team’s defensive strategy. Whether it’s physical play around the crease or being quick to respond to aggressive actions by opponents, the Oilers need to show that they will do whatever it takes to keep their goaltender in the game and performing at their best.