Amidst swirling rumors regarding the Edmonton Oilers' potential acquisition of a young goaltender, former Oilers goalie Devan Dubnyk has weighed in, offering a dose of realism to the speculation. Dubnyk essentially dismissed the idea that the Oilers would bring in a young, unproven goalie to be an immediate upgrade over current netminders Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard.

The Oilers' goaltending situation has been a hot topic of discussion, with many wondering if the team will seek to bolster its options ahead of another playoff push. Insider Jason Gregor has suggested that a change in goal is "inevitable" for the Oilers, potentially before the trade deadline. Names like New Jersey's Nico Daws and Detroit's Sebastian Cossa have been mentioned as potential targets.

Dubnyk acknowledged that while the Oilers might add a younger player to their system, expecting that player to immediately outperform Skinner or Pickard is unrealistic. He emphasized that when a team is in "win-now" mode, as the Oilers undoubtedly are with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl in their prime, it is not the time to gamble on an unproven young goalie.

"If you bring in a prospect you believe is NHL-ready — someone who could step in right away and make a difference — that's a different story," Dubnyk stated. The Oilers cannot afford to give a young goalie the time they need to develop under pressure, nor can they afford to allow a young backup to struggle, as this could jeopardize their Stanley Cup aspirations.

Dubnyk did not completely rule out a trade for a younger goalie. He suggested that if the Oilers were particularly high on a prospect, they might take a calculated risk. More likely, according to Dubnyk, Edmonton would trade for a high-end prospect to add to their pipeline as a "third guy". With a veteran presence like Pickard already in the mix, the Oilers could then afford to give the young goalie controlled opportunities to gain experience without throwing him into the deep end.

Stuart Skinner's performance has been a subject of debate, with some questioning whether the team can truly rely on him in the long term despite his resilience and playoff experience. While Skinner has shown flashes of brilliance, his inconsistency has led to speculation that the Oilers might seek a more stable option in net. Some analysts have even suggested trading Skinner.

The Oilers have also been linked to controversial goalie Carter Hart, although those rumors were quickly shut down. Oilers insider Jason Gregor made it clear that the Oilers have "absolutely no interest" in pursuing Hart, regardless of the outcome of his ongoing legal case.

Ultimately, the Oilers' approach to their goaltending situation will likely depend on their evaluation of available options and their assessment of Skinner and Pickard's performance as the season progresses. While a bold move to acquire a proven netminder cannot be ruled out, Dubnyk's comments suggest that the Oilers are unlikely to take a gamble on an unproven young goalie at this crucial juncture.