The Edmonton Oilers are making moves to reshape their goaltending situation this offseason, choosing to part ways with one of their netminders via free agency. This decision comes after another unsuccessful Stanley Cup Final run, prompting the team to re-evaluate its roster and explore different options in net.
Collin Delia, who served as a UFA for the Oilers, will not be returning to the team. Delia, 31, played in the Oilers organization and carried a $775,000 cap hit.
The Oilers' decision to let Delia walk signals a strategic shift in their goaltending approach. General Manager Stan Bowman must decide which pending free agents to keep and which ones to let go. The team may be looking for a more experienced or higher-impact goalie to support Stuart Skinner, who is expected to remain the team's primary starter.
Several options are available for the Oilers in the free agent market. Ivan Prosvetov is one potential target. In 2024-25, Prosvetov had a .920 save percentage and 2.32 goals against average in 38 games in Russia's KHL. Jake Allen is another option. Last season with the New Jersey Devils, Allen had a .908 save percentage and 2.59 goals against average in 31 games. Other unrestricted free agent goalies include Anton Forsberg, Daniel Vladar and Ilya Samsonov.
The Oilers could also explore the trade market to acquire a goalie.
The Oilers' goaltending situation has been a topic of discussion. While Stuart Skinner has shown promise, his performance has been inconsistent, particularly in the playoffs. The team needs a reliable backup who can provide quality starts and potentially push Skinner for the starting role.
By clearing space in net, the Oilers are demonstrating their commitment to improving their goaltending depth and overall team performance. The coming weeks will be crucial as they navigate the free agency and trade landscape to find the right fit for their roster.