The Edmonton Oilers are reportedly in the market for a goaltender to solidify their netminding situation for the upcoming 2025-26 season. Among the names circulating in trade rumors, Vancouver Canucks' Thatcher Demko stands out as a potentially impactful addition. However, acquiring Demko might be a challenge for the Oilers due to their limited trade assets.
Demko is considered one of the league's top goaltenders when healthy. In 2023-24, he posted a .918 save percentage and a 2.45 goals-against average, earning him a Vezina Trophy nomination. However, injuries have been a concern, as he dealt with a knee injury that sidelined him for a significant portion of the 2024-25 season.
The Canucks are reportedly seeking to bolster their top-six forward group, and if this is the case, the Oilers may not possess the necessary assets to entice Vancouver into a trade for Demko. While Edmonton could consider offering a promising young player like Matthew Savoie, who is expected to play a significant role in the Oilers' top-six next season, they might be hesitant to part with such a high-potential prospect.
Apart from Savoie, the Oilers' remaining assets may not be enough to make a compelling offer for Demko. Other teams, such as the Detroit Red Wings and the Philadelphia Flyers, are also rumored to be interested in acquiring goaltending help and might have more attractive trade packages to offer. The Red Wings possess a strong prospect pool and a surplus of draft picks, while the Flyers might be willing to make a desperate move to acquire a top-tier goaltender like Demko to push them into playoff contention.
One potential trade scenario for the Oilers could involve offering Stuart Skinner, Sam O'Reilly, and a future first-round pick in exchange for Demko. However, it remains uncertain whether this package would be sufficient to convince the Canucks to part with their star netminder.
Another trade proposal involves a straight swap of Evander Kane for Demko. The rationale behind this is that it would improve the Oilers' goaltending without needing to offload a contract first, as Demko's $5 million salary is similar to Kane's $5.125 million. It would also free up a roster spot for a young player like Matt Savoie. From Vancouver's perspective, they would be getting a forward who, despite injury issues, recorded 24 goals and 44 points in his last full regular season.
Ultimately, whether the Oilers can acquire Thatcher Demko will depend on their willingness to part with valuable assets and the Canucks' evaluation of their offers compared to those from other interested teams. The Oilers may need to get creative and consider all their options to improve their goaltending situation for the upcoming season. Other options for the Oilers include trading for St. Louis Blues' backup Joel Hofer or Anaheim Ducks' Lukáš Dostál. Another option would be to stick with their current tandem of Calvin Pickard and Stuart Skinner.
