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Dubnyk ‘can’t see a reason’ for Edmonton’s goalie pursuit

Thrashers Oilers Hockey

Edmonton Oilers goalie Devan Dubnyk watches a shot from the Atlanta Thrashers during second period NHL action in Edmonton, Alberta, on Saturday, Feb. 19, 2011. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, John Ulan)

AP

Edmonton Oilers GM Craig MacTavish has admitted he tried to land former LA Kings goalie Jonathan Bernier (who went to Toronto) and former Vancouver goalie Cory Schneider (who went to New Jersey).

Which begs the question -- what does his current goalie think of all this?

“It’s a little surprising to me,” incumbent No. 1 Devan Dubnyk told the Edmonton Journal. “To my eyes, I can’t see a reason for it.”

Dubnyk, 27, handled a full-time starter’s gig for the first time last season (appearing in 79 percent of games; previous high was 57), and performed reasonably well.

While his record (14-16-6) left something to be desired, he finished with a .920 save percentage and 2.57 GAA, solid numbers considering the Oilers weren’t exactly playing airtight defense in front of him.

What’s more, he’s got a contract.

Edmonton inked Dubnyk to a two-year, $7 million deal in 2012, one that carries an average annual cap hit of $3.5 million.

While not a massive sum, it’s still more than Niklas Backstrom’s new deal in Minnesota ($3.4 million), Craig Anderson’s in Ottawa ($3.1 million) and Semyon Varlamov’s in Colorado ($2.8 million) -- and all those guys are firmly entrenched as No. 1 netminders.

Dubnyk said he’s ready to be a “60-game goalie” this season and prepared to lead the Oilers in a playoff push.

But, he also concedes MacTavish’s moves stung a bit.

“My job is to try and stop pucks,” he explained. “It was surprising and disappointing, but right now, not much has changed.

“Until I’m told otherwise that I’m not No. 1, that’s where my head’s at.”