'This ends now': It's time for change in Edmonton Oilers nets, but what to do?

Edmonton Journal

5 days ago

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The one big thing experts agree on when it comes to the goalie situation of the Edmonton Oilers is that it's time for change, even if that is for change itself.
But in trying to make such a move, ESPN analyst Ray Ferraro said the Oilers are 'in a tough spot.'
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On his Ray & Dregs podcast, Ferraro suggested there's no question that Florida's Sergei Bobrovsky was a better goalie in the 2025 Final than Edmonton's tandem of Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard.
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Edmonton could try to sign veteran New Jersey goalie Jake Allen as an Unrestricted Free Agents, but there a few teams competing to sign him, Ferraro said. 'He's a free agent. How much money can you put into your (goalie) position? Because you need it so definitively in other places (on the Oilers roster). They're in a tough spot.'
Anaheim's John Gibson is another name out there, Ferraro said, but will Anaheim be willing to retain cap space? 'That's an expensive trade both, I would think, in assets and in dollars. Like, they're in a tough spot there. But I think might even be in the place of change for change, is part of what they need to do. I don't think you can go back with the same goaltending… There would be an undercurrent all year with the same goaltending. And that's unfortunately, I mean, that's the nature of that bloody position, right?'
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At the New York Post, columnist Larry Brooks said $10-million-per-year Bobrovsky was, in fact, the difference-maker in both Florida's 2024 and 2025 Cup wins.
It's wise to spend on a goalie, Brooks said. 'There have been exceptions to the rule, but the notion that legit contenders can get by with middle-tier netminders has always been patently absurd. I'm not sure whether Edmonton GM Stan Bowman was more derelict in his duty by attempting to get by with a goaltending tandem of Stuart Skinner ($2.6M per) and Calvin Pickard ($1M) — 3.6 percent of the cap, whoop-de-do — or failing to match last summer's offer sheets to Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway. Unless McDavid has already decided that it is best for him and his family to leave Edmonton for perhaps a major market city in the East — and we all know we are talking about New York and Toronto — then the Oilers' ability to acquire a franchise-type goaltender surely will impact No. 97's decision whether to sign an extension.'
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And Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman said on his 32 Thoughts podcast, 'I don't know if they're going to bring in another goalie to go with Skinner, or they're going to move on. But one thing I do believe is that they have to end the uncertainty. Like teams that win the Stanley Cup, you don't have as much turnover or upheaval in net the way Edmonton's had the last two years. And I could see McDavid and the organization saying, 'Enough of that. We have to end that one way or the other. Whatever you do, this ends now.''
My take
1. I don't want to see the Oilers trade Stuart Skinner, not with Skinner on a bargain contract of $2.6 million this season. But his save percentage has decreased three years in a row, from. 913 to .905 to .896, and he's always been a hot and cold goalie.
He was inconsistent in the 2025 playoffs, cold against Los Angeles, hot against Vegas and Dallas, then cold against Florida. His playoff save percentages the last three years have been mediocre, .883, .901 and .889.
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Skinner may have a break-out season where he puts his game together. But it's evident that to challenge for the Cup, the Oilers need a goalie who can challenge Skinner for the starting job.
2. Calvin Pickard, 33, had an OK .900 save percentage in the regular season, then went seven wins and one loss in the playoffs on an .886 save percentage. He's a good back-up goalie, but he's not likely the guy to lead Edmonton to the Stanley Cup in the playoffs.
I agree with Brooks that Bobrovsky has been Florida's best player in the Finals two years running. He stole two wins for the Panthers in 2024 and was the better goalie in Game 7 as well. He was the better goalie in at least four out of the six games this Stanley Cup Final.
3. All that said, OIlers GM Stan Bowman truly is in a tough spot here. First, there's limited cap space on the Oilers to pay a goalie. There's also a limited number of goalies available just now. Third, goalies really are voodoo, as Bowman has suggested, with Skinner and Pickard outplaying much more highly-paid and highly-rated goalies in VGK's Adin Hill and Dallas' Jake Oetteringer in the playoffs this year.
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4 It may well be that change for change's sake is needed here. The Oilers have rolled the dice with Skinner and Pickard twice and had some success, but not ultimate success. If a starter is available, possibly in a trade for Viktor Arvidsson, Bowman should think hard before pulling the trigger, but also think hard before rejecting the notion.
5. I fear things could get ugly if the Oilers stick with Skinner and Pickard, and the teams continue to get inconsistent goaltending. Why not mix it up? Pickard could be kept on as a goalie in Bakersfield in case of injury, or in case either of the other goalies flops.
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