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Ken Holland said that he wanted Mike Smith back in Edmonton during his year end media. He got him for two more years at 2.2MM
Mike Smith had a standout year in the shortened 2021 season. He finished with a sparkly .923 SV% to go with a 21-6-2 win/loss record in 38 games played. Smith’s SV% was good for seventh among eligible goaltenders. Smith’s most recent season came as a relief after a rocky 2019-20 campaign that saw him finish with a .902 SV% at the end of the year.
The #LetsGoOilers re-signed 39 y/o G Mike Smith to 2 year $2.2M Cap Hit Deal:
— PuckPedia (@PuckPedia) July 22, 2021
Yr 1: $1.9M Base
Yr 2: $2.5M Base
.923 SV% in 32GP
Rep'd by Kurt Overhardt @KOSportsInc https://t.co/R6fWgBm7h6
Barring another goaltender coming in, Smith will get every chance to become the club’s number one goaltender for the 2021-22 season. There’s some concern about Smith being age 41 at the conclusion of this deal, his amount of play could vary wildly depending on whether or not he’s able to pick up next season right where he left off at the end of the regular season. The deal is not able to be bought out, as this is a 35+ contract.
There’s a fair amount of risk in this deal given Smith’s age, but a year like last year’s will go far in quelling those fears.