On Tuesday afternoon, the Edmonton Oilers announced another signing. Goaltender Olivier Rodrigue has been re-signed to a one-year, two-way contract with an AAV of $775K.
Olivier Rodrigue career overview
Rodrigue, 22, is an Oilers goaltending prospect who has been developing over the last five seasons. Originally a second-round pick back in 2018, he finished out his junior career for two seasons post-draft in the QMJHL—one season with the Drummondville Voltigeurs and one with the Moncton Wildcats.
After his junior career, he jumped up to the professional level, where he has spent the last three seasons splitting time between the AHL, ECHL, and IceHL in Austria.
His first couple of professional seasons were less than awe-inspiring, hovering around an .890 SV% and 3.00 GAA with the AHL’s Bakersfield Condors. But his game took a massive leap forward in 2022–23, where he jumped up to a .912 SV% and 2.77 GAA in 29 games.
What to expect next from Rodrigue?
Rodrigue is still a ways away from the NHL and may still have a couple of teammates to leapfrog before being in a position to debut for the Oilers. He could potentially become the starting goalie for the Condors this upcoming season. His numbers nearly matched Calvin Pickard, and he seems to be on an upwards trajectory.
If that is the case, if anything happens to Jack Campbell or Stuart Skinner, Rodrigue could very well earn himself a spot on an NHL bench for a period in 2023–24. But it is also unlikely the rookie would get a call-up over Pickard, especially mid-season or in the middle of a playoff race.
Rodrigue’s game has come a long way and this one-year deal will be a huge test for him to see if he has a future in the Oilers’ organization.
