Update On The Oilers' Goalie Search
The Edmonton Oilers have gone to two consecutive Stanley Cup Finals with the same two goalies, Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard. While the reason the team made it all the way to the end wasn't mainly due to the play of their goalies. For the most part, it was in spite of their sub-par play.
Edmonton once again used both goalies on their deep playoff run. Skinner went 7-7 with a 2.99 GAA and .889 SV% while Pickard went 7-1 with 2.85 GAA and .886 SV%. To make it to the final with those types of numbers is impressive, and for the most part, the big saves that separated Sergei Bobrovsky from both the Oilers goalies, just weren't there for Edmonton.
After multiple tries and coming just short with the same tandem in net, it is time for a change. The Oilers missed out on John Gibson, likely due to his cap hit, and Joel Hofer as the St. Louis Blues re-signed him right before free agency. This didn't leave very many options for the Oilers in free agency and they didn't partake in signing anyone who would push one of the two NHL goalies out.
According to Chris Johnston, "the Oilers are open to adding a goalie, but I don't think they've 100% concluded that they have to do it right now. Maybe it's something you can do during the season." This isn't a bad move as the Oilers shouldn't just make a move and potentially use assets/cap space just to do it. While it can be argued that Edmonton would have won the Stanley Cup with slightly better goaltending, Skinner and Pickard were the ones who were there for the runs.
Trade options will surely emerge in the season and Stan Bowman has already proven that his moves are timely and effective, adding players like Jake Walman and Kasperi Kapanen last season. A goalie like Mackenzie Blackwood became available mid-season in 2024-25 and teams will be looking to sell if they struggle, chance strategies, certain goalies play well, and others don't. The Oilers will be fine throughout the season until an upgrade is made, but one does have to be made. A change in goalie coach should have a positive impact, but a change in personnel would add to that.
Photo credit: © Walter Tychnowicz-Imagn Images
