The Edmonton Oilers' ongoing quest for goaltending stability has taken another turn, with recent reports suggesting a specific tandem is in their sights. While the names involved have been circulating in trade rumors for weeks, the latest buzz indicates a preferred scenario where the Oilers acquire a particular netminder without sacrificing their current starter, Stuart Skinner.
The goalie garnering the most attention in connection with the Oilers is Tristan Jarry of the Pittsburgh Penguins. Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported on Hockey Night in Canada that the Oilers have legitimate interest in Jarry, but cautioned that the deal is complicated. The primary sticking point appears to be Pittsburgh's reluctance to retain any of Jarry's $5.375 million salary, which has two years remaining on his contract.
As of late November 2025, the Oilers' goaltending situation ranks among the worst in the NHL, with a 3.50 goals-against average (29th) and an .876 save percentage (30th). This has put pressure on the team, which is aiming for Stanley Cup contention with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl in their primes. Jarry, 30, has posted a 9-2-0 record with a 2.61 GAA and .913 save percentage this season, potentially offering a significant upgrade.
The Oilers' ideal scenario involves pairing Jarry with Skinner, who the team reportedly wants to keep. Skinner, 27, has a 9-8-3 record with a 2.90 GAA and .888 save percentage this season. The intention would be to create a tandem, sharing the workload and providing stability in net. However, acquiring Jarry without moving Skinner would require "roster surgery" to manage the salary cap, a challenge given the Oilers' current cap situation and injuries.
TSN's Ryan Rishaug has tempered expectations, reporting that "no goaltending deals [are] done for the Oilers despite some wild speculation otherwise". He added that "things can always change," but as of Saturday, December 6th, no deals were in progress. This suggests that while the Oilers have interest in Jarry, the hurdles to completing a trade are significant.
Other goaltenders who have been linked to the Oilers include Juuse Saros of the Nashville Predators and Jeremy Swayman of the Boston Bruins. Ilya Sorokin has also been mentioned as a possibility. However, these options may be less realistic due to contract status or team reluctance to trade. Additionally, the Sabres' Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has been mentioned as a potential target, with the Sabres expected to make at least one, possibly two, goalie moves before next season to resolve their roster congestion.
Ultimately, the Oilers' pursuit of a specific goalie tandem highlights their determination to address their goaltending concerns and improve their chances of competing for a Stanley Cup. Whether they can overcome the obstacles and acquire their desired target remains to be seen.
