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Two Edmonton Oilers goalie targets are no longer available

Colton Pankiw
Colton Pankiw
|
Jun 28 2025, 8:25 pm
Two Edmonton Oilers goalie targets are no longer available
Jessica Alcheh/Imagn Images

The Edmonton Oilers hopes to improve their goaltending situation ahead of the 2025-26 season took a blow on Saturday.

It’s no secret that the Oilers need to find a way to get better in between the pipes after falling in the Stanley Cup Final for the second-straight year to the Florida Panthers. While goaltending wasn’t the only reason for those losses, it played a big role, as neither Stuart Skinner nor Calvin Pickard has been able to prove they are number-one goalies.

The issue for the Oilers is that there aren’t a lot of goalies set to become free agents this offseason. In fact, none that are becoming free agents are a clear upgrade over Skinner. This means that in order for Edmonton to improve in the crease, they will likely need to do so via trade.

One trade option that has been discussed plenty over the last year is John Gibson. The Anaheim Ducks had been shopping the veteran for some time, and many viewed him as an upgrade over Skinner. He is no longer an option, however, as he was traded to the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday afternoon.

Another option that had been discussed was potentially offer sheeting Joel Hofer of the St. Louis Blues. Not only would it have served as somewhat of payback for losing Dylan Holloway and Philip Broberg last summer, but Hofer appears to have true starting potential. That option is now out the window too, however, as the Blues were able to agree to a two-year, $6.8 million deal with Hofer on Saturday.

Whether Oilers management was truly considering either is unknown, but it’s clear that the goaltending market is quickly drying up. If they hope to get an upgrade ahead of the 2025-26 season, it will likely take a crafty trade. At this point, though, it looks like fans shouldn’t hold their breath in hopes of one happening.

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