The Edmonton Oilers are once again facing a crucial offseason after falling short of the Stanley Cup for the second consecutive year. A significant area of focus will be their goaltending situation. After the performance of Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard, General Manager Ken Holland (or whoever the GM is at the time of reading) faces several options, ranging from retaining the current tandem to pursuing significant upgrades via free agency or trade.
Running It Back:
The most straightforward option is to start the 2025-26 season with Skinner and Pickard. This approach offers continuity and familiarity, as the pair has demonstrated the ability to win games and guide the team to the Western Conference title twice. Despite inconsistent statistics at times, they've proven capable of performing adequately enough to get the team to the playoffs, buying the team time. Pickard is also easily tradable to a contender, given his reasonable 1 million dollar contract and demonstrated playoff performance.
Free Agency:
However, the free-agent market for goaltenders isn't particularly strong this year. One potential target that has been mentioned is Jake Allen. Allen, a veteran with a wealth of NHL experience, could provide a steady presence in net. However, whether he represents a significant upgrade over the current options is debatable. Other unrestricted free agent goalies are available as well, as tracked by sites like Spotrac.
Trades:
The trade market could offer more impactful solutions. One name that has surfaced is Thatcher Demko of the Vancouver Canucks. Demko, when healthy, has proven to be an elite puck-stopper capable of Vezina Trophy-caliber play. However, his injury history and the challenge of completing a trade within the division add layers of complexity to this option. Another possible trade target is Joey Daccord from the Seattle Kraken, who has quietly posted solid numbers over the past two seasons. John Gibson from Anaheim has also been mentioned as a possibility. Tristan Jarry from Pittsburgh is another name that has been mentioned, but he has found himself in the AHL recently.
Offer Sheets:
A less conventional but potentially impactful strategy is to pursue an offer sheet for a restricted free agent (RFA). Joel Hofer of the St. Louis Blues has been identified as a compelling candidate. Hofer, who will be 25 in July, has demonstrated a .909 save percentage in 61 games over the past two seasons as Jordan Binnington's backup.
Internal Options:
The Oilers also have a few goaltending prospects in their system. Edmonton recently signed goaltender Nathaniel Day to a three-year entry-level contract. Olivier Rodrigue is another prospect who has been developing in the AHL with the Bakersfield Condors. Rodrigue, has shown promise in the past, and was even recalled to the Oilers roster at one point.
The Decision:
Ultimately, the Oilers' goaltending decision will hinge on their assessment of Skinner's potential, the available resources, and their appetite for risk. A conservative approach would involve sticking with Skinner and Pickard, hoping for improved consistency and capitalizing on their proven ability to win. A bolder strategy would entail pursuing a trade for a proven starter like Demko or extending an offer sheet to Hofer, aiming to elevate the team's goaltending to a championship level. GM Ken Holland has stated that he won't reveal his plan just yet. Whatever the course, the Oilers' goaltending situation will be a crucial factor in determining their success next season.
