The Edmonton Oilers are facing a goaltending crisis that’s becoming impossible to ignore - and the numbers don’t lie. Through the early part of the season, they’ve posted a league-worst team save percentage of .868. That’s not just below average - it’s the kind of stat that sinks playoff hopes before the calendar flips to the new year.
Stuart Skinner, expected to take a step forward this season, is sitting at a .878 save percentage. Calvin Pickard, called up to help steady the ship, has struggled even more at .847. When both your goalies are below .880, it’s not just a cold stretch - it’s a system-wide red alert.
Naturally, trade rumors have started to swirl. The Oilers have reportedly been linked to veteran netminders like Jordan Binnington in St.
Louis and Tristan Jarry in Pittsburgh. But according to NHL insider Elliotte Friedman, Edmonton’s front office is pumping the brakes.
Appearing on Saturday Headlines, Friedman made it clear: the Oilers aren’t looking to make a move just for the sake of doing something. “They are not going to do what they believe is a lateral move,” Friedman said. “They would rather make no move than what they think would be a bad move or a panic move or a move just to do it.”
That’s a telling quote - and one that gives us a window into the mindset of GM Ken Holland and the front office. The Oilers know they’re in a tough spot, but they’re not going to mortgage assets or shake things up unless they believe it’s a clear upgrade.
In other words, they’re not just looking for a warm body in net. They want a solution, not a stopgap.
It’s also worth noting that the Oilers have explored the goalie market extensively. Friedman mentioned teams like Columbus, Buffalo, and Pittsburgh - clubs that either have extra goaltenders or are open to moving one.
The Oilers have done their homework. They’ve made the calls.
But they haven’t found a deal that makes them better right now.
So where does that leave them? For now, it seems like they’re sticking with what they’ve got - Skinner and Pickard - at least in the short term. There’s also Connor Ingram down in the AHL, but he hasn’t exactly forced the issue with his play either.
And despite the mounting pressure, there’s no indication that Skinner is looking for a way out. In fact, Friedman reported that Skinner recently participated in an autograph session - a sign that, at least publicly, he’s still engaged with the team and the fanbase.
The Oilers are in a delicate spot. With a roster built to contend - and a generational talent like Connor McDavid in his prime - the margin for error is razor thin. Goaltending has been their Achilles’ heel, and unless something changes, it could derail another promising season.
But if Edmonton’s front office is holding out for the right move - not just any move - that’s a sign of discipline. The question now is whether patience will pay off, or if the clock runs out before help arrives between the pipes.