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Blues-Oilers Trade: Anders Nilsson to St.Louis

By Ryan Ritchie |
Jan 19, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Edmonton Oilers goalie Anders Nilsson (39) looks on against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the second period at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 19, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Edmonton Oilers goalie Anders Nilsson (39) looks on against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the second period at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Blues-Oilers Trade: Anders Nilsson to St.Louis for a Draft Pick

St.Louis is dealing with an injury carousel in 2015-16. After originally losing their starter Jake Allen, backup Brian Elliott went down in Allen’s first game back.

Both goalies had been playing extremely well before getting hurt.

Late Friday night, a Blues-Oilers trade was announced in a desperate attempt for St.Louis to add depth goaltending down the stretch.

via NHL.com,

Nilsson provides insurance for the Blues, who recently lost goalie Brian Elliott to a lower-body injury. Elliott will be re-evaluated in four weeks. Jake Allen, who returned Monday after missing 17 games with a lower-body injury, took over the No. 1 goaltending duties with Elliott sidelined.

Nilsson was 10-12-2 in 26 games for the Oilers this season with a 3.14 goals-against average and .901 save percentage. He shared playing time in Edmonton with Cam Talbot before he was assigned to Bakersfield of the American Hockey League on Feb. 10.

The 25-year-old has a record of 19-21-4 in 49 NHL games for the Oilers and New York Islanders, who made him a third-round pick (No. 62) in the 2009 NHL Draft.

Lundstrom, 23, has split this season between the Blues’ AHL affiliate in Chicago and Elmira of the ECHL. He was 1-1-0 in four games with the Wolves and 8-3-0 in 13 games for the Jackals. He was a fifth-round pick (No. 132) in the 2011 draft.

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Blues-Oilers Trade Analysis

This is a fairly insignificant move to address depth. Goaltending prospects Pheonix Copley and Jordan Binnington already proved that neither is capable of handling the NHL level right now. There’s a good chance that one eventually develops into Jake Allen’s backup – but, for now, the Blues need a goalie they can turn to if Allen falters (who also gives them a chance to win). Stick Anders Nilsson in front of a much improved defense core, and team in general, he can step in and give the Blues a solid effort. 

Considering the price tag to acquire Nilsson was a bottom-tier prospect, along with a 5th round pick – St.Louis got a pretty good deal for something that needed to be addressed.

Swedish goaltender Niklas Lundstrom is a fairly unknown prospect to those outside of the Blues organization. After spending several years playing in Sweden once drafted, Lundstrom made the move to North America in 2014-15 joining ECHL Alaska.

via Hockey’s Future,

Talent Analysis

Lundstrom has a solid butterfly technique, good lateral movement for a big man and a quick glove hand. The big netminder plays a little too deep and can have mental lapses after letting in weak goals.

Future

Lundstrom attended training camp with the Blues before beginning the 2014-15 season with the Alaska Aces. Sharing the goaltending duties with fellow ECHL rookie and former Cornell University goalie Andy Iles he should get the experience necessary to develop and reach his potential. As with any goalie his long-range prospects are difficult to project but Lundstrom has the physical attributes and technical skills to be successful.

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