Oilers Face Goaltending Crisis: Six Trade Targets to Stabilize the Crease
The Edmonton Oilers are at a crossroads. Despite recent back-to-back overtime victories, a deeper look reveals a team still grappling with fundamental issues, most critically in net. While opportunistic wins against the Columbus Blue Jackets and Philadelphia Flyers provided a temporary boost, those successes were heavily reliant on luck and controversial officiating, masking the underlying instability that threatens to derail their season.
The Oilers’ struggles stem from multiple factors, including a depleted forward group due to veteran departures and the ongoing absence of key player Zach Hyman. A struggling blue line compounds the problem, but as one analyst noted, “goaltending continues to be this team’s biggest issue.”
Currently, Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard are failing to provide consistent, reliable performances. Skinner,despite being given the primary role,has a 2.75 goals against average (GAA) and a .889 save percentage through 13 games.Pickard’s numbers are even more concerning,with a 4.00 GAA and a.836 save percentage in six appearances, including a disastrous 9-1 loss to the Colorado Avalanche where he entered in relief of Skinner.
Management’s continued faith in Skinner, despite clear shortcomings, is increasingly questioned.With the 2025-26 season unfolding, the Oilers must seriously consider external options to address their goaltending woes. here are six potential trade targets, categorized by risk and reward:
Low-Risk, Potential Upside
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (Buffalo Sabres)
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen of the buffalo Sabres presents a low-risk, perhaps high-reward option. The 25-year-old has shown flashes of brilliance but has been relegated to a full-time backup to Lyon with a 2.91 GAA and a .877 save percentage in three starts. The Oilers would need to carefully assess whether his current struggles are indicative of his true potential or a result of the Sabres’ overall team issues.
Higher-Risk, higher-Reward Targets
Elvis Merzlikins (Columbus Blue Jackets)
Elvis Merzlikins of the Columbus Blue Jackets has been a frequently discussed trade target for the Oilers. The 31-year-old carries a $5.4 million cap hit expiring after the 2026-27 season, making him a less risky acquisition in terms of long-term commitment. While his save percentage has dipped below .900 in the past three seasons, he’s shown some improvement in 2025-26, posting a 3.14 GAA and a .908 SV% in seven starts. Whether he represents a genuine upgrade over Skinner remains debatable, but he has consistently faced a weaker team than the Oilers.
jordan Binnington (St. Louis Blues)
Jordan Binnington of the St. louis Blues was linked to the Oilers last season and could again be available as the Blues struggle in 2025-26. With a $6 million cap hit and only one year remaining on his contract, Binnington presents an intriguing option. While his regular season numbers haven’t always been stellar, he has a reputation for elevating his game in high-stakes situations. “His playoff performance is what makes him so appealing,” a senior official stated. This ability to perform under pressure could be invaluable for an Oilers team with Stanley Cup aspirations.
Long Shots with Significant Potential
Juuse Saros (Nashville Predators)
Acquiring Juuse Saros from the nashville Predators would be a significant undertaking. The 30-year-old holds a no-movement clause, but might be willing to waive it for a chance to contend for a championship. Though, his struggles this season, combined with an eight-year contract carrying a hefty $7.74 million cap hit, present significant obstacles. The Oilers’ salary cap situation would require considerable creativity to accommodate Saros, but as one source pointed out, “other general managers have navigated similar challenges.”
The Time for action is Now
While many of these trades would be complex to execute,Oilers general manager Stan Bowman can no longer afford to delay. The team’s current goaltending tandem is demonstrably insufficient, and the Oilers’ championship window is closing. As one observer noted, “This fan base has been told for years that these deals can’t be done, only to see other teams pull off nifty trades.” The Oilers cannot continue to rely on hope and luck; decisive action is required to address the most pressing issue threatening their season.
