EDMONTON – Goalies are voodoo.
Many hockey fans (Edmonton Oilers fans included) don’t have a complete understanding of the goaltending position. It’s an intensely difficult position to wrap your mind around – especially if you haven’t played.
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Luckily, there are individuals out there who don’t share that belief. Many players discuss the influence of a defensive coach or a head coach. Sadly, a goalie coach doesn’t often receive similar recognition, even though their role is equally as important to the success of the team.
The Oilers are primed for some changes in their coaching staff, chief among them being the addition of a new goalie coach. Dustin Schwartz has held the position since 2015. While it’s great to have consistency, perhaps keeping a coach around for 10 years while not winning a Stanley Cup is not a recipe for success?
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There’s a high possibility that the Oilers will run-it-back with the tandem of Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard. If that is the case, these are five candidates the team could pursue to give the players a different voice in their ear who could bring fresh eyes and personalities to the organization.
We’ll categorize the candidates into under-the-radar possibilities and those with extensive experience.
Under-The-Radar Long Shots
These candidates are the ones who have little-to-no experience with previous NHL teams, but offer something unique or have a connection that makes them an intriguing candidate.
Mike Smith
Former NHL goaltender Mike Smith had a storied playing career. He’s taken some time away from the spotlight, and he could consider making a change to his daily routine.
Even during his final years in the NHL with the Oilers, Smith was looking at ways to improve his goaltending craft and sharpen his game. Several players have spoken about the positive effect that Smith’s attitude and mentality have had on them.
Smith has helped mentor the next generation of goaltenders at the Net360 Goalie Camp. He doesn’t have extensive coaching experience, but his personality, and familiarity with the organization (and specifically Skinner) make him an off-the-board pick who could be a great first time NHL goalie coach.
Adam Francilia
Adam Francilia is already familiar with Skinner. He has been working with the Oilers netminder in the offseason. Most famously, he was name-dropped during the conference finals last playoffs.
Francilia focuses on biomechanics and positioning. This is one area where he helped Skinner during the 2023-24 regular season.
Francilia has previous experience working with the San Jose Barracuda of the AHL. He currently works in player development at the Alpha Hockey agency, where Skinner is currently represented. He has worked with Thatcher Demko, Connor Hellebuyck, James Reimer, and Mike Smith.
His ability to focus on an underrated aspect of goaltending would be a great asset to an organization like the Oilers. However, it’s unknown if he would be willing to leave his current arrangement to become exclusive with an NHL organization.
Justin Cardinal
The last of the potential unknowns who could be a goalie coach option for the Oilers is Justin Cardinal.
Cardinal is an Alberta-native who runs his own goalie programs. He has experience as a goalie coach in the WHL with the Kootenay Ice and Prince George Cougars.
His biggest claim to fame at this point in his career is being the coach and mentor to two Stanley Cup-winning goaltenders: Vegas Golden Knights goalie duo of Logan Thompson and Adin Hill. (Thompson now plays for the Washington Capitals).
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Goalie Coaches With NHL Experience
There are two options for the Oilers to look at who have experience dealing with NHL goaltenders. It never hurts to take a look at options who have a good deal of directly related experience, and these two certainly fulfill that requirement.
Brian Eklund
Brian Eklund was a volunteer goalie coach in the NCAA for many years. He spent three years with Harvard University before joining Boston University.
Then Eklund moved on to be an AHL goalie coach, plying his trade to the Utica Coments for the last five seasons.
Steve Briere
Steve Briere has been a professional goalie coach since the 2007-08 season. He began in the NCAA, moved on to the North American Hockey League (NAHL) before hitting the NHL.
Briere first worked with the Toronto Maple Leafs as a goalie coach for seven years before spending his last three seasons with the Seattle Kraken.
Any of these options have the opportunity to be difference makers for the Oilers organization. Whether it’s a fresh, new voice or someone with a longer history of coaching NHL-level talent, any of these options would be a solid swing for the team.
Goalies are voodoo, but they don’t have to be.
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