The intense speculation surrounding the Edmonton Oilers' goaltending situation appears to be subsiding as the team heads into the off-season. After back-to-back Stanley Cup Final losses to the Florida Panthers, where inconsistent goaltending was a significant talking point, the Oilers are now evaluating their options for the upcoming season.

The Skinner-Pickard Tandem

For the past two seasons, the Oilers have primarily relied on Stuart Skinner as their starting goaltender and Calvin Pickard as his backup. However, their performance in the playoffs has been inconsistent. In the recent Stanley Cup Finals, Skinner posted a .895 save percentage, while Pickard recorded a .892. While several factors contributed to the Oilers' defeats, improved goaltending could have made a difference.

Stanley Cup Final 2025

In Game 4, head coach Kris Knoblauch pulled Skinner after he allowed three goals on 17 shots in the first period. Pickard stepped in and "did just enough" to allow the Oiler's offense to rally. Going into Game 5, Knoblauch declined to name a starting goalie. Ultimately, Pickard started in Game 5 but allowed four goals on 18 shots. Knoblauch defended Pickard, saying that he "didn't have much chance on those goals". Skinner started in Game 6, but the Oilers lost 5-1.

Wayne Gretzky openly criticized the Oilers' goaltending after their Game 6 loss. Gretzky questioned the team's goalie rotation, emphasizing the need for a solidified netminder.

Potential Solutions

Several options are being considered to address the goaltending issue.

• Acquire a Proven Starter: One option is to acquire a legitimate starting goaltender who can consistently steal games. This would likely mean Skinner's departure due to cap space constraints, a lack of trade assets, and the current goalie market.
• Find a Strong "1B" Goalie: Another approach is to acquire a solid "1B" goalie to share the workload with Skinner. This would provide a reliable backup and reduce the pressure on Skinner, potentially leading to more consistent results.
• Run it Back: Despite the concerns, there is a possibility the Oilers will stick with Skinner and Pickard. TSN's Ryan Rishaug reported that the Oilers are open to change but won't make a change "for the sake of change".

The имена Pickard Factor

Calvin Pickard has exceeded expectations as a backup, providing solid performances when called upon. He has a 7-0 record in the playoffs. However, it's uncertain if he's the answer to leading the Oilers to a Stanley Cup. Pickard is a journeyman who spent the entire 2022-23 season in the AHL and was only called up due to Jack Campbell's struggles.

Coaching Changes

The Oilers recently dismissed their goaltending coach, Dustin Schwarz. The team is expected to announce new coaching staff, which could bring a fresh approach to Skinner's and Pickard's development.

The Path Forward

Oilers GM Stan Bowman faces a challenging situation with limited cap space and a limited number of available goalies. While some fans have suggested targeting high-profile goalies like Igor Shesterkin, those options are likely unrealistic due to asset and cap constraints. The Oilers could explore signing veteran free-agent goalies such as Jake Allen. Ultimately, the Oilers need to find a goalie who can challenge Skinner for the starting job.