The Edmonton Oilers have been wrestling with a goaltending puzzle for decades, and the pieces still aren't fitting together. The previous leadership thought they’d solved it by signing Jack Campbell in free agency, but that move quickly turned sour.
Campbell's contract eventually had to be bought out, a decision that will linger on the books until the 2029-30 season. This misstep thrust Stuart Skinner into the starter’s role prematurely, impacting his development.
Now, under general manager Stan Bowman, the Oilers are trying to patch up the goaltending woes again, but the results are far from promising. The front office has stumbled with their handling of the situation this season, and it’s clear that some decisions haven’t panned out.
Instead of improving, the team’s performance between the pipes has arguably declined. This mismanagement raises the question of whether the situation can be salvaged.
Oilers’ Loyalty to Calvin Pickard Proved Costly
Calvin Pickard was instrumental in Edmonton’s back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals appearances, but this season tells a different story. In a league where "what have you done for me lately" is the mantra, Pickard's numbers have been rough. With a 3.68 goals-against average (GAA) and an .871 save percentage (SV%) over 16 games, these stats fall short for a backup goaltender, and a change was overdue.
Pickard’s popularity in the locker room kept him around longer than perhaps was wise. The Oilers carried three goalies for over a month to avoid placing him on waivers, fearing it might disrupt team chemistry.
“I can’t shut off the emotions. He’s one of my best friends.
I’m going to miss him no matter what. But at the end of the day, I’ve got to continue to do what I do, whether Picks is here or not,” Leon Draisaitl shared after Pickard was sent down.
This loyalty clouded judgment, and an earlier decision might have changed the course.
Oilers Should’ve Called up Connor Ingram Before Trading Stuart Skinner
Had the Oilers waived Pickard in November, Connor Ingram could have been called up earlier to partner with Skinner. Instead, they traded Skinner to the Pittsburgh Penguins for Tristan Jarry on Dec. 12, a move that now seems hasty.
This wasn’t just a lateral move; it cost them significant assets. The trade included defenceman Brett Kulak and a 2029 second-round pick, without any salary retention.
The Penguins later traded Kulak to the Colorado Avalanche for Samuel Girard and a second-round pick, highlighting Edmonton’s questionable asset management. Patience might have allowed Ingram to stabilize the crease and delay major changes until the offseason.
Skinner, a pending unrestricted free agent with a manageable $2.6 million cap hit, wasn’t a long-term commitment. The Oilers could have saved their assets for a bigger goalie trade in the offseason. Instead, they took on Jarry’s $5.38 million cap hit for two more seasons.
Jarry might have been available closer to the trade deadline, allowing the Oilers more flexibility. With his 12-team no-trade list, finding a better fit now is challenging, leaving the Oilers in a bind. Bowman needs to address the issues he’s created.
These “what if?” scenarios highlight how different decisions might have altered the Oilers’ trajectory. Keep an eye on this evolving story as the season progresses.