The Edmonton Oilers' goaltending situation has shifted from concern to crisis but not the kind anyone expected. GM Stan Bowman now faces a roster puzzle with three NHL-caliber netminders and only two spots to fill, with waiver implications threatening to strip the organization of assets if he doesn't act quickly.
What looked like Edmonton's Achilles heel entering the season has what can be said turned into an embarrassment of riches between the pipes. But league rules and roster limitations are forcing Bowman's hand on decisions that could significantly impact the team's playoff push.
Calvin Pickard entered the campaign as the clear odd man out who understood his place on the depth chart. His recent performance flipped that. Pickard posted a near-shutout against the Winnipeg Jets making highlight-reel saves and showing the kind of form that makes NHL general managers reach for their phones. He is no longer an easy waiver candidate.
Connor Ingram brings legitimate starting credentials to what's suddenly become a crowded crease. The 27-year-old has shouldered the load as a number-one before and looks every bit the part when he gets the call.
Tristan Jarry arrived via trade at significant cost and the early returns may have validated Bowman's faith. Three straight wins had him firmly entrenched as Edmonton's starter before an injury sidelined him. He is now listed as day-to-day and once cleared medically, he will reclaim the starter's crease he earned with strong play out of the gate.
Waiver wire complications forcing ultimatum for Oilers
The NHL's waiver system has created an urgent timeline for Bowman. Calvin Pickard will require waivers for any demotion to Bakersfield. Given his recent play and the league-wide goalie market, he would be claimed immediately.
Edmonton would watch a functional NHL netminder join a division rival without receiving a single asset in return.
Ingram's situation carries its own ticking clock. He sits below the waiver threshold of 10 cumulative games or 30 days on the roster but that window is closing. Every appearance and every passing day brings him closer to waiver eligibility. Once he crosses that line, he becomes vulnerable to claims just like Pickard.
Jarry's imminent return from IR would possibly be the moment Edmonton has to pull the trigger.
Options on the table for Stan Bowman
Bowman has three moves to consider. Option 1 would be to shop Pickard now. The veteran's stock is climbing. Multiple playoff-bound teams need goalie insurance and Pickard's salary and track record make him an attractive piece.
Even a modest return a third or fourth-round pick beats watching another team claim him for free. But if injuries strike Edmonton's crease again, they will regret trading away proven depth.
Option 2 would be to return Ingram to Bakersfield. Getting Ingram back to the AHL before he hits waiver eligibility preserves organizational flexibility. Edmonton can recall him later without risk, maintaining quality depth in the system. The trade-off is losing evaluation time at the NHL level but retention outweighs the scouting benefits.
Option 3 would be to commit to Jarry as the starter. The simplest call. Jarry was acquired to solve the goaltending question and his play before injury suggested he is the answer. Once healthy, he gets the net and the workload that comes with it.
The league-wide goalie market is desperate right now. Contenders and bubble teams are scrambling for netminding stability as injuries and inconsistency plague crease after crease across the NHL.
Bowman can capitalize on current desperation or risk watching the market shift as other solutions emerge. Timing matters and the opportunity to extract maximum value exists right now.
Can the Oilers keep all three goalies?
Keeping all three goalies has been done before. The 1973-74 Montreal Canadiens famously carried three NHL-caliber netminders all season under legendary GM Sam Pollock. The depth gave Montreal flexibility and insurance that competitors couldn't match.
But modern NHL realities make that approach nearly impossible. Salary cap constraints and waiver rules create problems that didn't exist in Pollock's era. It's a nice idea in theory but not quite as practical for today's game.
The waiver wire doesn't wait for anyone. Ingram's eligibility clock is ticking. Pickard's trade value could evaporate if other goalies hit the market. Jarry's return is imminent.
Edmonton's front office has days, not weeks, to sort this out. How Bowman navigates this roster crunch could determine whether the Oilers' playoff run features stable goaltending or regrets about mismanaged assets.