Mikko Koskinen

It looks like Mikko Koskinen is ready to return to Europe. Swiss Hockey News reported on Friday afternoon that Koskinen was likely to ink a deal in Switzerland’s National League for the 2022-23 season. About an hour later, Bob Hartley, who’s now coaching in the KHL, said that Koskinen has already signed a contract with HC Lugano in Switzerland for next season.

Despite currently serving as the backup for the Edmonton Oilers and even seeing game action in Game 1 of the second round, there appears to already be some clarity on goalie Mikko Koskinen’s future for next season. Former NHL head coach Bob Hartley spoke Friday, saying that Koskinen has already accepted an offer to play for HC Lugano in the Swiss National League next season.

Koskinen stopped 32 of 37 shots in relief of Mike Smith in a 9-6 loss to the Flames in Wednesday's Game 1. Koskinen made his playoff debut for this postseason just 6:05 into the contest after the Flames blitzed Mike Smith. To his credit, Koskinen was the most effective goalie in this throwback to a higher-scoring era. The Finn ended up taking the loss, and it seems likely head coach Jay Woodcroft will give Smith a chance at redemption before Koskinen would get a longer look between the pipes. He went 27-12-4 with a 3.10 GAA and a .903 save percentage in 45 regular-season outings.

Koskinen stopped 39 of 41 shots in Friday's 3-2 shootout win over the Canucks. The Oilers twice erased one-goal deficits, and Koskinen was solid between the pipes despite another heavy workload. The 33-year-old was the star in the shootout, making six saves to secure the win. He ends the regular season with a 27-12-4 record, a 3.10 GAA and a .903 save percentage through 45 contests. Despite winning the last two games of the season, Koskinen projects to serve as Mike Smith's backup in the playoffs.

Koskinen allowed four goals on 44 shots in Thursday's 5-4 overtime win over the Sharks. Koskinen snapped his personal three-game losing streak, though it was still a middling outing for the 33-year-old. He allowed a pair of goals to Noah Gregor in the first period before settling in. Koskinen improved to 26-12-4 with a 3.14 GAA and a .901 save percentage through 44 appearances. Mike Smith will likely get the regular-season finale Friday versus the Canucks.

Koskinen will start Friday's season finale against Vancouver, Derek Van Diest of Postmedia reports. Koskinen will backstop an Oilers lineup that will be resting both Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. Mike Smith's expected to open the playoffs as Edmonton's starter, but Koskinen will look to pick up some momentum heading into the postseason and improve on his 26-12-4 record, 3.14 GAA and .901 save percentage.

Koskinen will defend the cage versus San Jose at home Thursday, Jason Gregor of OilersNation.com reports. Koskinen will be in the crease for just the second time in the Oilers' last six contests, giving starter Mike Smith the night off to prepare for Vancouver on Friday. With the veteran Smith riding a nine-game winning streak, Koskinen will likely find himself relegated to the backup role heading into the playoffs.

Koskinen allowed four goals on 30 shots in Sunday's 5-2 loss to the Blue Jackets. The fifth goal was an empty-netter. Koskinen let a couple of one-goal leads slip away, and the Blue Jackets took control in the third period. Playing time has been scarce for the Finn lately, and he didn't help his case with a third straight loss. He's at 25-12-4 with a 3.12 GAA and a .901 save percentage through 43 contests. The Oilers have a back-to-back in their last two games of the regular season, so Koskinen will likely draw in for at least one more start.

Koskinen will man the road crease Sunday in Columbus. Koskinen has struggled recently, allowing at least four goals in four of his last eight appearances. Between Koskinen's inconsistent play and Mike Smith's recent surge, Smith appears to have retaken the top spot on Edmonton's depth chart in net, but this game against a non-playoff Blue Jackets team will present Koskinen with an opportunity to make his case for more playing time in the playoffs.

Koskinen gave up five goals on 23 shots in Tuesday's 5-1 loss to the Wild. Minnesota took a 1-0 lead into the first intermission, then added three more against Koskinen to pull away on a rare quiet night for Edmonton's offense. By the time Leon Drasaitl got the Oilers on the board, it was already 5-0 Minnesota. Koskinen has been all over the map in his last nine starts, allowing five goals three times while limiting the opposition to one goal three times during that stretch as well.

Koskinen is expected to start Tuesday in Minnesota, Mark Spector of Sportsnet.ca reports. Koskinen was the hard-luck loser in his last start Saturday, stopping 33 of 34 shots in a 2-1 overtime loss to the Avalanche. Tuesday's matchup won't get any easier, as the Wild are 25-7-2 on home ice, where they've averaged a whopping 4.00 goals for this season (tied for second only behind Florida's 4.72).

How incredible would it be if a goaltender who everyone, including possibly the Edmonton Oilers, had written off as a lost cause stuck around for another couple of seasons? That might be exactly what happens with the Oilers and netminder Mikko Koskinen, who is undoubtedly making a case as a goalie who the Oilers should at least consider offering an extension.

Koskinen allowed one goal on 34 shots in Saturday's 2-1 shootout loss to the Avalanche. Koskinen was unlucky to lose this one, but Darcy Kuemper was even better with 49 saves on 50 shots in the goalie duel. Nathan MacKinnon accounted for both the lone regulation goal and shootout tally that sent Koskinen to the defeat. The 33-year-old netminder is down to 25-10-4 with a 3.04 GAA and a .904 save percentage through 41 appearances. Mike Smith seems to have the momentum in net for the Oilers, and it wouldn't be surprising to see Koskinen return to backup duties Tuesday versus the Wild.

Koskinen will start against visiting Colorado on Saturday, Jack Michaels of the Oilers Radio Network reports. Koskinen has yet to start in April, but he's won back-to-back games while stopping 69 of 73 shots in the process. He'll look to lead the Oilers to their seventh consecutive victory against a first-place Colorado squad that's 8-1-1 over its last 10 and a tidy 23-10-3 on the road.

Koskinen won't start Tuesday's game versus the Sharks, but he is clear of his illness and expected to back up Mike Smith, Jack Michaels of the Oilers Radio Network reports. Koskinen was initially in line to start Tuesday, but he'll have to wait until at least Thursday's game versus the Kings to draw back in.