Oilers backup goalie Jeff Deslauriers did nothing wrong yet found himself out of a job.
I don't exactly know why but this year's three-goalie rotation isn't the first time the Edmonton Oilers have had one too many netminders. But they hope it's the last. History, for those who earn their living in the blue paint, has repeated itself too often.
Now the problem has been resolved with Jeff Deslauriers being put on waivers. That means Devan Dubnyk is the man behind the man Nikolai Khabibulin. I don't know if it's that clear-cut that Dubnyk is better than Deslauriers. However he's younger, cheaper and Edmonton feels a better netminding option.
This will give the Oilers a chance to use that roster spot for a forward or a defenceman or someone they certainly need more than a third goalie. I don't think Deslauriers did anything wrong; yet this morning he was informed he was out of a job.
Deslauriers makes just over $1 million a year and would make for a good No. 2 with another team. If a team goes after him they would be doing both the netminder and the Oilers a favour. He needs a new start and they need to close the book on a goalie drafted in 2002.
I think Deslauriers can play in the NHL but considering he didn't get a chance to play one regular-season game it's quite clear that he was only around in case Khabibulin's back couldn't stand the workload.
Khabibulin's back in fine. And Dubnyk made 40 saves in his one chance this year. They're fine which means no chance for Deslauriers ... or at least no chance in Edmonton.
