The Detroit Red Wings made a significant move in the goaltender market on Saturday by acquiring veteran goalie John Gibson from the Anaheim Ducks. Gibson was a target for several teams, including the Edmonton Oilers, but now that he’s off the market, the Oilers must decide on their next move if they want to reconsider their current goalie duo of Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard.
The goaltender market this offseason is quite limited. As noted in a Thn.com article, the only free-agent goalies who could deliver at least average performance are New Jersey Devils’ Jake Allen, Vegas Golden Knights’ Ilya Samsonov, and Detroit’s Alex Lyon. However, each of these options has weaknesses that teams could exploit.
So, will Edmonton overspend on a free-agent goalie? Unlikely, since they won’t find Vezina Trophy-level talent among free agents. Other teams are also interested in Allen, Samsonov, and Lyon, which could drive up costs beyond Edmonton’s reach. This situation pushes Edmonton to explore trade options for a starting goalie.
Unfortunately, no team is likely to give Edmonton a goalie out of goodwill. For example, although Oilers GM Stan Bowman might try to acquire Pittsburgh Penguins’ veteran Tristan Jarry, fans would probably be unhappy with that move given Jarry’s declining performance from a .919 save percentage in 2021-22 to .893 in 2024-25. Jarry’s $5.375 million cap hit over the next three years adds to the complexity. Even if Pittsburgh bought out his contract soon, Edmonton would be signing a goalie who struggled to maintain NHL-level saves last season.
Similarly, Columbus Blue Jackets’ veteran Elvis Merzlikins is also a risky prospect. His save percentage dropped to .892 last season, and he carries a $5.4 million cap hit for the next two years. While Columbus might cover part of that cost, Merzlikins remains a risky choice given his recent performance.
As a result, the Oilers are likely stuck with their current goalies, which puts the team in a tough spot. Is running with Skinner and Pickard really the best option?
The Oilers lost to the Florida Panthers in the Stanley Cup Final, not primarily due to goaltending, but Skinner posted a playoff save percentage of just .889, while Pickard was at .886. In two of his three appearances during the Cup Finals, Pickard’s save percentage was below .875.
Considering these stats, it’s understandable why GM Stan Bowman has a challenging task ahead. When Bowman won three Stanley Cups with the Chicago Blackhawks, his goalies were Corey Crawford, Antti Niemi, and Scott Darling — all solid but not superstar netminders. This experience may mean Bowman opts for a less flashy goalie while focusing on shoring up Edmonton’s defense in front of B-grade goalies. However, this approach may hinder the Oilers’ chances of winning the Cup.
Regardless, the Oilers almost certainly need to make a change in goal. Continuing with the current setup is likely to lead to disappointment, and if Edmonton fails to secure another Cup due to their choice to stick with the same goalies, fans will not be surprised.
The Oilers have tried to succeed with mediocre goaltending before, and it hasn’t worked. Bowman must prioritize finding a reliable goalie tandem before other teams snap up all the available talent in trades.
The Panthers won back-to-back Cups partly because they had an elite goalie in Sergei Bobrovsky. Edmonton lacks a comparable goalie, making it Bowman’s most critical job this summer to secure a netminder capable of performing under pressure and supporting the Oilers’ high-powered offense on a championship run.
If he fails, Edmonton may once again fall short in the playoffs, and given the circumstances, that outcome would be expected.
Fan Take: This news is crucial for hockey fans because goaltending often makes or breaks a team’s championship chances, and Edmonton’s struggles highlight how vital it is to have a dependable goalie. The Oilers’ approach this offseason could significantly impact the NHL landscape, affecting their ability to compete at the highest level and potentially reshaping their future in the league.
