It seems like nothing can go right for the Edmonton Oilers so far into the 2025-26 NHL season. Between injuries, players underperforming, even strength scoring slumps, and goaltending struggles, the team has been off to a poor start at the quarter season mark.
Understandably, the team currently finds themselves outside of the playoff picture despite being tied for the league lead in games played at this stage. The only thing keeping their playoff hopes alive at this point is the number of overtime losses, inflating their point totals.
The one area that receives the most attention is their goaltending, with many speculating on the future of goaltenders Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard. Both goalies have a save percentage below .890 at this point.
Despite their struggles NHL insider David Pagnotta claims that the Oilers are "comfortable" with their goaltenders saying "They're comfortable with their goalies, yeah if an opportunity arises and they can get better at any position, any team's gonna look at it,"
David Pagnotta: Re Oilers: They're comfortable with their goalies, yeah if an opportunity arises and they can get better at any position, any team's gonna look at it; I don't see the options right now in terms of legitimate #1...type of goaltender - Winnipeg Sports Talk (11/20)
— NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) November 25, 2025
Can the Oilers upgrade in net?
Right now, the NHL is in an intense state of parity according to the league standings. The second place team league-wide, the Carolina Hurricanes have a 14-6-2 record in 22 games played with 30 points. The 30th place Vancouver Canucks have a 9-12-2 record in 23 games played with 20 points on the season. The point spread from the top and bottom is very small.
The Oilers currently sit 23rd in the entire league and outside of a Western Conference wild card spot with 25 points in 24 games. They sit three points back from the Los Angeles Kings (28 points in 23 games) for a playoff spot in the Pacific Division. The Kings sit 10th across the entire NHL.
This slim margin between the haves and have nots is what will keep many goalies off the market. Any tangible upgrade in net is a goaltender that is likely keeping his team's record inflated and keeping them in contention for the Stanley Cup playoffs. Most goaltenders will not hit the trade market until there is more separation between teams fighting for their playoff lives.
This adds to the weight of the frustration many fans felt when general manager Stan Bowman failed to address the team's goaltending position over the summer. Aside from signing depth goalie Matt Tomkins and acquiring Connor Ingram from the Utah Mammoth -- who is struggling with the Bakersfield Condors -- and hiring a new goalie coach, Peter Aubry.
Oilers cap crunch
The other factor is the Oilers salary cap position (puckpedia.com). The team currently has two players on long term injured reserve, Kasperi Kapanen and Noah Philp. These two players being on LTIR are helping to keep the team cap compliant, for now.
However, Kapanen is expected to return from injury this week and will begin to impact their cap situation when he is activated. Long story short, the Oilers are very tight to the NHL salary cap ceiling of $95.5 million and if they were to make an upgrade in goal, would likely have to shed salary as a result.
It all depends on their desired goaltender's annual cap hit but the team could find ways to make it work if it came down to that. However based on the above reporting... This all may be for not as the Oilers are supposedly comfortable with their goaltending.