The Edmonton Oilers have surrendered the most goals of any team in the NHL so far this season, and that’s something many believe to be the primary driver of Edmonton’s less-than-stellar start to 2025-26. But while there are those who hope that the Oilers move on from netminders Stuart Skinner (.885 save percentage in 19 games) and Calvin Pickard (.847 in nine games), it doesn’t appear the Oilers feel any rush to get a deal done for a new goalie.
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported on yesterday’s Saturday Headlines segment that Edmonton has “made enough calls” to know which goalies are likely available to them, but are not willing to make a trade that they would view as a “lateral move.” Whether or not swapping Skinner for a goalie such as Pittsburgh’s Tristan Jarry, Columbus’ Elvis Merzlikins, or a member of Buffalo’s goalie trio would represent a real upgrade is a matter of fair debate, but as of right now, it appears that debate is settled as far as Edmonton’s management is concerned. According to Friedman, they’d rather continue ahead with Skinner, with whom they’ve reached back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals, than make what they’d view as a less-than-optimal goalie swap.
Other notes from the Western Conference:
- Vancouver Canucks forward Conor Garland missed yesterday’s game with an injury, but Friedman reported that the ailment is “not believed to be serious.” Sportsnet’s Iain MacIntyre reported that Garland’s injury is not concussion-related, and while he will remain with the team for their road trip, he is questionable to play in the Canucks’ next game, Tuesday, in Denver. Garland is a key play-driver for the Canucks and has 15 points in 21 games so far in 2025-26.
- Aside from Edmonton, Friedman also reported a development regarding the goalie situation of another Western team: the Chicago Blackhawks. Veteran goalie Laurent Brossoit is set to return from a year-and-a-half injury absence, but finds himself outside of Chicago’s goaltending plans. Friedman reported that the Blackhawks have given other teams permission to speak with Brossoit, likely with the hopes that opening the lines of communication will make it easier to complete a trade involving Brossoit. The fact that Brossoit makes $3.3MM against the cap complicates things, but the 32-year-old’s most recent NHL performances (.927 save percentage as a backup in both Winnipeg and Vegas) should help him garner some real interest from other teams.
Skinner just had a shut out. See Bowman clearly made the right call. Goalie problem solved.
Loool will see how it will last
Jesper Wallstedt: 9 GP 7-0-2 1.93 gaa .938 svp 3 so
He was sitting in their hands. Unreal.
But, OK, they soiled that bed and need a new one…what now? Trade for Filip Gustavsson.
Offer Skinner and whatever it takes for Gustavsson and then find a cheap backup who could at least semi-plausibly have the potential to go on a run as a starter. Trade for Silovs (hope you don’t go to a shootout) instead of Jarry, maybe.
No, trade for Silovs and waive Pickard. The Oil can only reasonably fit in a goalie that makes near $1M.
Skinner (and another deal probably) would have to go back the other way.
Say, Skinner and Henrique plus picks for Gustavsson.
I wouldn’t recommend this but they could also offer even more picks to have MIN eat half of the AAV and make Gustavsson a $3.4 m goalie.
Silovs is cheap with potential upside and just had an AHL Cup run. You could do worse.
You are living in a dream world if you think either of these deals are to happen. Do you know ANYTHING about hockey?!?
Wallstedt is a first round pick and their goalie of the future. In what world do you think that he was EVER available to the Oilers?
You worry me with some of your outlandish comments sometimes 66 lol.
I don’t worry about your worry.
If you knew enough about hockey, you’d know that Wallstedt fell to the Oilers in the 2021 draft. With Wallstedt still on the board, the Oilers traded that pick, despite the reality that they would need a cheap elite goaltender to compliment their expensive McD/Drai core.
I said at the time (and constantly since) what a terrible mistake it was and only a willful fool could argue it now.
I knew what you were talking about! That trade down for Xavier Bourgault sure looks great now.
The Oilers team defense is really bad regardless of what backup netminder the team trades for. Lol.
I think the pundits are right: there just isn’t really any goalie out there who is (a) a clear upgrade, and (b) available, where (c) Edmonton can fit his salary under the cap, and (d) won’t cost them a prohibitive price, and (e) is completely reliable.
I agree with this take while also wondering what bill zito or Kelly mccrimmon could do with the situation. Oilers should’ve handled this last year, but I’m inclined to think zito and mccrimmon could both find a way this afternoon.
Or Chris MacFarland. The Avs acquired Wedgewood last year on Dec 1st and Blackwood a week later. I agree with Nha Trang’s take as well but option (b) should not be a roadblock much longer for the Oilers.
They don’t necessarily have to go after a star 1A guy either. Even an upgrade on Pickard would help lessen the load on Skinner and that shouldn’t cost them a premium or anything.
It’s the money-in-money-out that’d be the hangup in a few spots. Sure, a straight hockey trade, they’d go after (say) Broissoit, and give the Blackhawks Pickard and a draft pick in return. But even if Chicago retained 50% (and that would cost the Oilers more), Edmonton still couldn’t fit that under the cap.
Their only out is to get completely radical. Just about everyone on the roster making $1.5 MM or more has a NMC/NTC. (Ekholm is an exception, but exactly how much value does he have?) The only guy who doesn’t is Evan Bouchard: an elite scoring defenseman in his prime. But even if they dangled Bouchard, what goalie out there is both available and worth blowing that large a hole in their lineup?
If they involved a third team also retaining 50% of Broissoit they could get him in at $825k. Then maybe closer to the deadline when cap hits are not as hindering, think of a bolder move?
Well if you’re looking for someone to fill your IR spots Broissoit is your guy. The Hawks will gladly eat any part of his contract to get rid of him. With Knight, Soderblom, Commesso and Berezhnoy looking pretty good and Gajan even playing way better in College all he does here is take up oxygen.
Everyone calm down. 66Num is here. He knows best. He knew 4 years ago when the Oilers had 4 goalies in their prospect cupboards that that would be their issue now and that they shouldn’t have supported their weakest spot instead adding another goalie prospect. Hindsight is 20/20.
Thanks Wreckage…I commented even before I read that. Common sense plays no part in hindsight.
Except for the part where it wasn’t hindsight and I’ve said it (vehemently) from the minute it happened, yes. Yes, I did.
They had 4 nobodies (as time has proven) when the best G prospect in a half a decade slipped to them and instead drafted a bum that they traded for a warm body.
And for some strange reason, despite the fact that you now have the benefit of seeing with hindsight what should have been obvious in real time, you still try to claim that they did the right thing.
Not sure why I care about the Oilers winning a Cup more than Oiler fans, but as long as you guys are happy with Roby Jarventie, I’m happy for you, I guess.
The most insane and obvious draft mistake I have ever seen a team make in any sport ever, but OK.
Wow…well if you called them out for not picking Wallstedt even back then? Then I’ll give you kudos.
Being a Flames fan doesn’t make me a “you guys”. I love watching the Oilers trip over themselves constantly and not do the right thing, which happens over and over. Most teams that are going for it, don’t typically use their late 1st round picks, so I doubt it was on their radar. If he is truly that good, then I suspect that 20+ teams will be kicking themselves. Kind of like Wolf, except teams had chances over and over to pick him in his draft. Goalies are voodoo, so I don’t think he was high on their draft list.
Wreckage is an Oiler fan and we’ve been having this debate (this exact same debate) since two minutes after the Wild picked Wallstedt with the Oilers pick.
Ahhh I get it now. Sorry to hear about his luck lol
I get what you mean. I was taking it in context with your other comments about them making trades for unattainable goaltending now. You are right about “hind-sight is 20-20”, but 31 other teams pretty much think that way when they are trying to build a contender. In 2021 the Oilers were NOT looking for a goalie to play for them in 4-5 years. Although you may be right…it was and still is quite irrelevant.
Hence my handle ……93.
I created that right after the Flames drafted Sam Bennett. Of course I was absolutely right about that draft pick, and the Flames were absolute idiots to get rid of him. If only these GM’s would believe that us fans are so much smarter then them.
You are not but it is cute that you believe it.
Are you kidding? lol
Awww he thinks I’m cute…
“In 2021 the Oilers were NOT looking for a goalie to play for them in 4-5 years.”
Why not?
Did they have a proven G? Did they have a pipeline of (actual, not lotto tickets) G prospects?
Did they not intend to keep BOTH McDavid and Draisital? If so, did they not understand that they would be VERY expensive at some point and that they would need younger and cheaper players to be able to fill out a team?
They didn’t understand the value of having a cheap but elite G right when McDrai were in their primes AND on their third deals?
They sure didn’t.
And now, because of that lack of understanding and foresight, there is now a very good chance McDavid retires without a ring instead of winning multiple Cups.
I think Jarry would be an upgrade on Skinner, and both would benefit from a change of scenery.
Also, Garland needs to move on. One of the better and more consistent Canucks, he’s just going to get older on a team with no window in sight. Washington, Carolina, Philadelphia or Boston would be great fits for him, for a high prospect and low pick, or visa versa…
Good Jarry, sure.
Send him to the AHL again Jarry, not so much.
He’s not it. Same with Binnington. Too hot and cold.
Gustavsson is the only goalie who MIGHT be available for a reason besides their current team wants to hot potato them.
Chiarelli started the problem and Holland continued it. Sad that Daryl Katz cant recognize good management and has ruined McDavids and Draisaitls cup chances so far…
If blues get too far out, wonder if binnington would be a trade candidate for the Oilers.
whatever happened to jack campbell ? ? oilers have been grasping at goalie straws for a long time .. wasting more mcdavid years
Campbell was a mediocre backup in Grand Rapids last year, and no one invited him to training camp. Guy’s sitting at home right now collecting $2.3 MM in buyout money for watching TV. Edmonton will be paying him through 2030.
I think Jarry/EDM is a possible Cup…they have nothing to lose- except 3rd Cup in a Row lol
Theres a better chance we will all agree on how to pronounce Wilkes Barre than Jarry winning anything.
Freddie Anderson for Quinn Hutson. Immediately turn Quinn into a defenseman and pair with Slavin.
What impact did Ken Holland have while in Edmonton? He left the Wings a burnt out shell with no decent prospects in sight and tons of “old high priced” contracts to pay for when he moved on to the Oilers. Could it be some of the same or just a coincidence?