Unless you have been living under a rock, you should be well aware about the Edmonton Oilers and their goaltending struggles. All summer, there were rumours flying about the club's goaltending targets and things have not slowed down as the season has kicked off.
Although Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch has praised the net minders and come to their defence, it does not sound like every member behind the scenes feels the same way.
Multiple reporters and insiders have speculated that the Oilers are not married to their current tandem and will likely make changes between the pipes by the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline. TSN and Oilers beat reporter Ryan Rishaug spoke on Bob Stauffer's Oilers Now show and said "I think we all know that Skinner is on the clock here". Adding "If he is not capable of handling this, he won’t be here, he will not be in net for game one of the playoffs".
This indicates that Oilers general manager Stan Bowman and his staff are heavily scrutinizing the performance of their starting goalie and will make a change if needed. So, who could be available to the Oilers at the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline?
Sergei Bobrovsky
As the saying goes 'If you can't beat em, join em.' or in this case, make them join you.
Although it is a longshot and Oilers fans may be apprehensive to the idea but Sergei Bobrovsky and his resume, speak for itself. He has two Stanley Cup rings and two Vezina trophies as the league's best goaltender. He would be a definite improvement in net and if the team can retain him and make the cap work, he could win his third straight Stanley Cup.
The Panthers may pursue this avenue if they feel they may not be in a playoff spot or want to take the chance to step back a bit and regain assets. The salary cap is expected to rise mightily, which will give the Panthers flexibility coming up to continue to add in free agency and via trades. If they can gain a couple draft picks and open up some cap room, it could allow them to take a big 'Vegas Golden Knights' type of swing.
It will all depend how the season shakes out for both parties and it is a definite longshot but crazier things have happened.
Jacob Markstrom
Another (former) rival, what is this? Unfortunately, the goaltending trade market is not filled to the brim with elite level talent. The pickings are slim and Jacob Markstrom is an established option who has been one of the league's best puck stoppers for the past decade.
At least so far, the Devils seem to have found their guy in Jake Allen and with Nico Daws waiting in the wings, it could push Markstrom to the outside. This would be great news for the Oilers who may be able to put the assets together to pull of a deal like this.
He has struggled to begin the year posting an .845 save percentage in his three games so far, something that could help drive the price down for the Oilers, should they acquire his services.
Cam Talbot
Every Oilers fan remembers Cam Talbot putting the team on his back for multiple seasons, starting an incredible 73 games in 2016-17. Now, nearly 10 years later, he could help the Oilers on a deep playoff run once again.
Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman went out and acquired John Gibson in the offseason and with multiple prospect netminders in the Wings (*wink*) it could make them seriously consider moving one of their tandem guys.
Cossa has been great with Grand Rapids. As well with Michal Postava and Carter Gylander coming up the pipe, not to mention Trey Augustine and Michael Pradel as recent draft picks, the prospect pool in the crease is full. If they are willing, the Oilers may be able to swoop in and take the veteran Talbot off the hands of the Wings.
Should the Oilers need to go down this avenue, there are multiple established veteran rental options in net. They are not ideal but neither is this hypothetical situation where the Oilers are having to trade Stuart Skinner and/or Calvin Pickard.