Goaltending has far out kicked its coverage from what I expected this season. Primarily that is Smith turning in an elite level season after starting it as an old, injured goalie. Tippett knew better on a tender with whom he's had a long history and clearly trusts and believes in. Smith has simply seized the reigns to get the overwhelming number of starts through this stretch drive. I like that Koskinen is described as a worker who puts the time and effort to sharpen his game. But I don't think he has the intangibles to compete and seize a #1 starter role.
I can't see anyway the Oilers pass on bringing Smith back next year. However, as a hopeful contending team, is a Smith Koskinen combo good enough to backstop a team looking to move into elite Cup contending status? I'm skeptical after Holland's early free agent call this year to Markstrom. Can your roll the dice on a younger, prime year hopeful like Ullmark, Drieger to mentor and learn under Smith for a year or maybe two if the old guy holds up? Do you move on to an established NHL prime year guy to roll with Smith?
Will be very interesting to watch this position over the off season. Said it before but will again, I think it worth looking at Smith post-career being offered a Director of Goaltending position to work with their pipeline of tenders at all level on the mental side of playing this high pressure position (fostering skills of resiliency, grit and determination) along with skills in handling the puck. Pair Smith with the established goalie coaches who can focus on technical skills, puck tracking and the like.
Furthermore, look at this topsy turvy draft year of uncertainty to finally use a mid/late first rounder to select an elite prospect goaltender with Wallstedt or backyard Cossa to fill in a mid-term (3 year+) development position of need.