Would Jordan Binnington Solve the Oilers’ Goaltending Woes? Maybe-But That’s Only Part of the Problem
The Edmonton Oilers are in a tough spot right now-one that goes well beyond the crease. There’s no denying that goaltending has been a glaring issue, but if you ask around the locker room or listen to those close to the team, it’s clear: the struggles are layered. Defensive lapses, underperforming blueliners, and inconsistent structure are all playing a role in the Oilers’ disappointing start.
Still, when your netminding is shaky, it’s hard to build any kind of momentum. That’s why the conversation around Jordan Binnington is starting to heat up.
Why Binnington?
Among the potential goaltenders who could be available, Binnington stands out for a few reasons. First, there’s his pedigree-he’s a Stanley Cup winner who’s proven he can handle the pressure of big moments.
He’s got that edge, that swagger, that teams crave between the pipes. And there’s also some history here: Binnington has chemistry with Connor McDavid from their time together at the Four Nations tournament, which might help him acclimate quickly if a deal were to happen.
But there’s also the business side of things. The St.
Louis Blues aren’t likely to re-sign Binnington to a long-term deal, and with their eyes on a rebuild, they may be open to moving him. That opens the door for a team like Edmonton to make a play-if they can find the cap space.
The Cap Crunch
Here’s where things get tricky. The Oilers don’t have much in the way of draft capital or top-tier prospects to dangle in a deal. That means if they want to bring in a goalie like Binnington, they’ll likely have to move pieces off their current roster.
One option? Stuart Skinner.
His $2.5 million cap hit could be moved, and while that’s not a massive number, it’s a start. Another name that’s been floated is Adam Henrique, who carries a $3 million cap hit.
Whether or not St. Louis would take those contracts on directly is uncertain-but even if they don’t, moving Henrique elsewhere could help clear the space needed to absorb Binnington’s deal.
The point is, it’s doable. Not easy, but doable.
Goaltending Isn’t the Only Issue
Now, let’s be clear: bringing in Jordan Binnington wouldn’t magically fix everything. In Tuesday’s game, for example, Skinner was pulled after giving up four goals in the first period.
But dig a little deeper, and you’ll see that he actually made the initial save on three of those goals. The problem?
The defense in front of him collapsed-Evan Bouchard, Brett Kulak, and others were late to clear rebounds, lost positioning, and failed to tie up sticks. Second-chance goals were the result.
That’s been the story far too often this season. Defensive breakdowns have been frequent, and while the goaltending hasn’t bailed the team out, it’s hard to blame the netminders entirely when they’re constantly under siege.
That’s why even if the Oilers do manage to land Binnington, the blue line needs to tighten up if this team wants to turn the corner. A goalie can only do so much when the structure in front of him is leaking.
A Confidence Boost, If Nothing Else
Still, there’s something to be said for what a player like Binnington could bring from a mental standpoint. He’s a competitor.
He plays with fire. And sometimes, a new presence in the crease can lift the entire team’s confidence.
Even if he doesn’t solve every issue, he might stabilize the most fragile part of the roster-and that could ripple outward.
So, would Jordan Binnington fix all of the Oilers’ problems? No.
But could he be a meaningful step toward righting the ship? Absolutely.
The Oilers have a lot to figure out, and the clock is ticking. If they want to salvage this season, bold moves might be the only way forward. Binnington would be bold.