Edmonton Oilers more likely to trade for new goalie than sign one
The Edmonton Oilers are gonna try to get a new goalie this summer, and it sounds like it’ll likely be through a trade.
Goaltending has once again been a hot topic in the Alberta capital following another disappointing end to the season. The tandem of Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard has once again come up empty-handed, meaning that changes between the pipes are likely heading into the 2025-26 NHL season.
There are a few goalies set to hit free agency on July 1, but a new report from Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman on the latest episode of 32 Thoughts has the Oilers leaning toward the trade market instead.
“The best goalie available on the free agent market is Jake Allen,” Friedman said. “I don’t know if that’s what they’re gonna do. At the very least, it’s clear they are gonna be looking at the trade market there.”
Friedman on the latest 32 Thoughts pod on #Oilers goaltending situation:
– Not sure EDM is thrilled with the FA class of goalies
– EDM GM Bowman will be exploring the goalie trade market
– Might consult with top players on potential goalie options— Preston Hodgkinson (@NHLHodgkinson) June 23, 2025
Gauging which goalies might be available in trade around the NHL is not an easy thing to do, but there are a few candidates. Anaheim Ducks goalie John Gibson has long been rumoured to be on the outs, with the Oilers being linked to him more than once.
Some other outside possibilities include Buffalo Sabres starter Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and Columbus Blue Jackets goalie Elvis Merzlikins.
It remains to be seen what exactly a trade for any of those goalies could look like. Edmonton isn’t exactly brimming with a lot of high-value assets that could be traded. Matthew Savoie is the team’s top prospect, with Sam O’Reilly and Beau Akey following behind. The Oilers also don’t have a lot of draft capital, with just three picks in the 2025 draft and no first-round pick in 2026.
No matter who they decided to target, Friedman indicated that Bowman may be working with some of the Oilers’ top players (presumably Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl).
“They admitted that they’ve talked to some of their top players about [goaltending],” Friedman said. “I wouldn’t be surprised if they go over it with some of their players on some of their options.”
This will be a difficult position to upgrade, but the results of the last two seasons have made it clear that something has to give in the blue paint for the Oilers.
It’ll be up to Bowman to deliver on a solution.