Now that the dust has settled following the July 1st free agency frenzy, the Edmonton Oilers are still left with glaring holes to address in their lineup. With the team pressed tightly against the salary cap and little flexibility to make major moves, general manager Stan Bowman must get creative on the trade market if he hopes to round out a roster capable of returning to the Stanley Cup Final.
While Oilers management has publicly expressed confidence in moving forward with the tandem of Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard, that pairing does little to inspire belief—especially from a superstar like Connor McDavid—that this team is built to finally win it all.
If Bowman wants any shot at convincing McDavid to sign an extension and commit his future to Edmonton, addressing the goaltending issue is paramount. The Oilers may not be able to chase big-name goalies, but there are trade targets available who could stabilize the crease and keep their Cup window open.
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen
When evaluating the current goaltending landscape, there aren't many clear-cut upgrades available for the Oilers. At minimum, they need to find a reliable tandem partner for Stuart Skinner—if not someone capable of outright taking over the starting job.
One intriguing trade option is Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, a young netminder with upside who could potentially stabilize the crease in Edmonton.
While his name might be a mouthful, Luukkonen could be exactly what the Oilers need—a steady presence in net with room to grow. He experienced a dip in performance last season, but his $4.75 million AAV is manageable compared to other starters on the market.
If the Oilers can make the cap math work, a deal involving Luukkonen could be a calculated risk worth taking as they look to shore up their biggest weakness and keep their Stanley Cup hopes alive.
Tristan Jarry
Another name the Edmonton Oilers should keep a close eye on is Tristan Jarry of the Pittsburgh Penguins. With promising prospect Joel Blomqvist knocking on the door, the Penguins could look to move Jarry to clear the way for a changing of the guard in net.
Jarry has had an up-and-down career but remains a capable starting goaltender who could provide the Oilers with much-needed stability and experience in the crease.
Of course, as with any potential move for Edmonton, the biggest challenge is making the money work under the salary cap. Jarry carries a hefty contract, so the Penguins would likely need to retain a significant portion of his salary to facilitate a trade.
If both sides are motivated, this could be a mutually beneficial deal that gives the Oilers a veteran presence in goal and the Penguins a chance to begin their transition to a younger core.
Joseph Woll
Acquiring a bona fide netminder in the NHL is no easy task—especially when your team has limited cap space and very little flexibility. The Oilers may need to explore the trade market to find a goaltender who can either push Stuart Skinner or form a more reliable tandem.
One intriguing option could be Toronto Maple Leafs’ netminder Joseph Woll, a young goalie with upside who has shown flashes of brilliance when healthy.
The recent rise of Anthony Stolarz might give the Leafs enough confidence in their depth to consider moving Woll for the right return. For Edmonton, this would be a strategic move, potentially giving them a capable and affordable goalie who could grow into a bigger role.
It won’t be an easy trade to pull off given the Leafs’ tight window for contention, but if the Oilers are serious about stabilizing their crease, this is a swing worth taking.
If the Oilers are serious about upgrading their goaltending, they must act this summer rather than wait for the trade deadline when prices are higher and options are limited.
While the trade scenarios discussed are purely speculative and dependent on multiple moving parts—including cap space and the willingness of other teams—Stan Bowman and the Oilers front office need to do their due diligence now.
Exploring market values, initiating conversations, and laying the groundwork for a potential deal could be the difference between another deep playoff run or another season of falling short.
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