The Edmonton Oilers' goaltending situation remains a topic of intense scrutiny as the 2025 trade deadline approaches. Despite back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals appearances, questions linger about whether Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard can truly be a championship-caliber tandem. Their performance in the 2025 Final against Sergei Bobrovsky and the Florida Panthers has amplified these concerns. With GM Stan Bowman likely monitoring the trade market closely, the possibility of acquiring a recently traded goalie to bolster their netminding depth is a definite consideration.
Several factors contribute to this ongoing evaluation. Skinner's regular season performance has been inconsistent, with his play dipping even lower than the previous year. This has led to periods where Pickard has had to step in. While both have shown flashes of brilliance, the Oilers may seek a more reliable and experienced option to solidify their Stanley Cup aspirations.
The trade market for goalies, however, appears to be increasingly thin. Recent activity has seen some potential targets move off the board. Jake Allen, previously linked to Edmonton, re-signed with New Jersey, while John Gibson was traded to Detroit. Arturs Silovs was another goalie the Oilers considered, but they ultimately backed away before he was dealt to the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Despite these setbacks, several goalies could still be on the Oilers' radar. Petr Mrazek, an experienced netminder on an expiring contract, was recently traded to Detroit as part of the Gibson deal. Given the Ducks' potential position as sellers at the deadline, Mrazek could become a prime rental target. His playoff experience, coupled with a career .911 save percentage and 2.85 goals-against average in nearly 30 postseason games, makes him an attractive option. Moreover, the Oilers have expressed interest in Mrazek in the past, adding to the intrigue. The Ducks could potentially retain salary or involve a third team to reduce his cap hit to around $1 million, making him an affordable addition.
Other potential targets mentioned include Tristan Jarry, Elvis Merzlikins and Jordan Binnington. Acquiring Binnington from St. Louis would likely require a significant trade package, as the Blues would need to be convinced to hand over the reins to Joel Hofer. The Oilers may become more aggressive in pursuing such a deal if other options fall through. Other names that have been floated around include Karel Vejmelka, who is a pending unrestricted free agent.
Ultimately, the Oilers' decision will depend on several factors, including the performance of Skinner and Pickard, the availability of other goaltenders, and Bowman's assessment of the team's overall needs. If the Oilers believe an upgrade is necessary to contend for the Stanley Cup, they may very well target a recently traded goalie at the deadline.
