The Edmonton Oilers are in a high-stakes window right now - chasing a Stanley Cup with limited room for error. So when the idea of acquiring Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Laurent Brossoit surfaced, it was worth a look. But according to NHL insider Elliotte Friedman, that door might already be closing.
On the latest 32 Thoughts podcast, Friedman addressed the Brossoit-Oilers connection, noting that while the move might make sense on paper - especially since the acquisition cost wouldn’t be sky-high - there’s hesitation inside the organization. The concern? Edmonton doesn’t have the luxury of time.
Friedman referenced a conversation he had with someone familiar with the situation, who pointed to last season’s experience with John Klingberg. The Oilers brought in Klingberg after a long injury layoff, and while he eventually found his game in the playoffs, it took a while. That slow ramp-up is exactly what Edmonton is trying to avoid this year.
“So, he said it doesn’t mean you’re wrong. It doesn’t mean they won’t be interested or look,” Friedman explained. “But Klingberg actually started to play a lot better once the playoffs got going, and I’m just not sure the Oilers feel they have months to wait for Brossoit to get up to speed.”
That’s the key sticking point. Brossoit has dealt with injuries and hasn’t logged a ton of starts this season. For a team like Edmonton - already walking a salary cap tightrope and trying to maximize every roster spot - banking on a goalie who might need time to settle in is a gamble they may not be willing to take.
Co-host Kyle Bukauskas also brought up the financial side of the equation. Brossoit carries a $3.3 million cap hit, which is higher than Stuart Skinner’s $2.6 million.
In a cap world where every dollar matters, that difference isn’t insignificant. As Friedman put it, “$3.3M is greater than Skinner’s $2.6M.”
So where does that leave things?
It’s not that Brossoit isn’t a viable goaltending option - he’s shown he can be a solid presence in net when healthy. And in another season, or with a little more flexibility, maybe the Oilers take that swing. But right now, with the team trying to stay in the hunt and avoid missteps that could derail a playoff push, the risk-to-reward ratio just doesn’t add up.
That doesn’t mean Edmonton won’t explore the goalie market. But if they do, they’ll likely be looking for someone who can step in and contribute right away - no runway, no adjustment period, no guessing.
In a season where every point matters and the margin for error is razor-thin, the Oilers need certainty between the pipes. And at this moment, Brossoit might not check that box.