NHL insider explains why Edmonton Oilers didn't upgrade their goaltending
Aside from the Connor McDavid conundrum, the biggest talking point for the Edmonton Oilers heading into 2025-26 is its goaltending.
Once again, much of the Oilers fanbase was hoping to see management make an upgrade in the crease, as many point to the tandem of Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard as to why the organization hasn’t won a Stanley Cup with this core group.
There had been reports ahead of the 2025 trade deadline and into this offseason that Oilers management was looking at making changes between the pipes, but ultimately, nothing came to fruition. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman recently explained their thought process in an appearance on Donnie and Dhali.
“I think the Oilers have said, for the price it would take, and the salary that they would have to fit in, there was nothing that made sense,” Friedman explained. “If you take a look at what was really available to them, they felt that there was nothing that made sense.”
The money aspect certainly plays a part, as Skinner and Pickard combine for just $3.6 million in salary. Both are set to become unrestricted free agents following the 2025-26 campaign, which potentially points to changes being made next offseason. That said, Friedman didn’t seem to rule out a potential midseason move.
“I think the Oilers will be open to anything that makes them better, but it has to make sense for them. Of all the conversations I had about Skinner and his future, the thing I kept hearing was there was nothing that made sense that was definitively better than him.”
Barring an unforeseen move ahead of the 2025-26 season, Skinner will get another shot to prove that he has what it takes to be a top-tier goalie for the Oilers. He appears confident he can do so, as he recently revealed that one of his main goals this season is to crack Canada’s roster for the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics.