The Edmonton Oilers may be on the verge of making a significant move to address their goaltending situation before the trade deadline, with rumblings of potential changes coming to the Oilers' net.
Mounting Pressure and Lingering Questions
Despite reaching the Stanley Cup Final in the past two seasons, questions persist about the team's long-term reliability in goal. Stuart Skinner's performance has been good enough to help the Oilers get to the finals, but his inconsistency has spurred speculation about whether the team can truly depend on him, especially with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl in their prime.
Analyst Predictions and a History of Goaltending Woes
NHL insider Jason Gregor has expressed strong belief that a goaltending change is "inevitable" for the Oilers. Speaking on the DFO Rundown podcast, Gregor stated he would be surprised if both Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard are still with the team after the trade deadline. This prediction underscores the pressure on General Manager Stan Bowman to solidify the team’s goaltending. Goaltending has been a long-standing issue for the Oilers during the Connor McDavid era. Despite possessing an elite offense, the team has struggled to find a consistently solid number-one goaltender.
Skinner's Resilience and the Need for Consistency
To Skinner's credit, he has demonstrated remarkable resilience for a young goalie. Former Oiler Devan Dubnyk praised Skinner's growth, noting his significant playoff experience for a 26-year-old. However, as the Oilers have learned, playoff experience alone doesn't guarantee a Stanley Cup victory. Both Skinner and Pickard posted save percentages below .900 in the playoffs last season, numbers that analysts argue are not up to championship standards.
Potential Trade Targets
Trade chatter has already begun, with several names being mentioned as potential targets for the Oilers. James Nichols of NJ Hockey Now suggested that Nico Daws of the New Jersey Devils could be a promising option. Daws, a 24-year-old netminder, could offer a long-term solution in net for the Oilers. Sebastian Cossa, a Detroit Red Wings prospect, is also believed to be a possibility.
Making a Trade Work
To facilitate a trade, the Oilers might consider moving depth contracts, such as Mattias Janmark's, and adding draft capital to make the package more appealing. The Oilers have several similar forwards to Lysell in Andrew Mangiapane, Ike Howard and Matt Savoie. Other analysts have suggested the Oilers could target goalies such as John Gibson. While sticking with Skinner and Pickard is an option, many believe that the Oilers need to find an upgrade in net to improve their chances of winning a Stanley Cup. Another option could be trading for an upgrade on Calvin Pickard, with potential targets being Karel Vejmelka, Alex Lyon, Cam Talbot, and Jonathan Quick.
McDavid's Contract and the Urgency to Win
The uncertainty surrounding Connor McDavid's contract extension adds further weight to the goaltending situation. If the Oilers are serious about maximizing their generational star's potential, they need to provide support across all areas, and a more solid goaltending presence could make a significant difference. The Oilers plan to discuss a contract extension with McDavid, and a deal could be announced around September 3, 2025.
Ultimately, the Oilers appear determined to explore all options to solidify their goaltending position before the playoffs. Whether they opt for a high-upside tandem partner for Skinner or a more established number-one netminder remains to be seen, but it's clear that the Oilers are not content to stand pat.
