When the man at the helm of the Edmonton Oilers, Stan Bowman refused to make a change between the pipes over the summer, it caused plenty of outrage amongst fans.
The few changes that were made were switching out the goaltending coach, adding Peter Aubry to the mix to replace long-time coach Dustin Schwartz. They also added Matt Tomkins to round out their depth in the American Hockey League and took a flyer on Connor Ingram from the Utah Mammoth.
Despite widespread rumours and speculation of the Oilers having interest in every goalie available on the trade and free agent market. Still, no tangible upgrades in net for the Oilers NHL goalie tandem.
Now, as we pass the quarter season mark of the 2025-26 NHL season, the Oilers goaltending has hit rock bottom, as Sportsnet Stats pointed out and continued to rub salt in the wound.
Oilers goaltending is the worst it has been in over 40 years
Following the Oilers 8-3 loss to the Dallas Stars, Sportsnet stats account posted a number of statistics on X (formerly Twitter) that sent Oilers fans into a frenzy.
The first post that prompted all of it, showed just how bad things have been for the Oilers this year and shows just how far things have fallen. Revealing that the Oilers were down by four goals at the first intermission since January 22nd, 2013 vs the San Jose Sharks. Anytime the Oilers do something that has not been done since the 'decade of darkness' days is a bad sign.
On top of this, they posted even more, revealing just how bad the Oilers tandem has been this year. Both Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard have save percentages below .880 and the fact they have allowed more than seven goals on three different instances is a big reason why.
The worst of alla and the one that generated the most buzz, came after the game. It was revealed that the Oilers team-wide save percentage of .860 is the lowest through 25 games since their inaugural NHL season in 1979-80, 46 years ago.
Oilers .860 team save percentage is their lowest through 25 games since their inaugural NHL season in 1979-80
— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) November 26, 2025
What can the Oilers do now?
It was recently revealed by NHL insider Frank Seravalli that the Oilers goalies have until Christmas to turn their play around before the team makes changes. He also said that the Oilers brass wanted to recall Ingram to replace Pickard in goal.
Although the Oilers players rallied and stopped them from making changes by banding together, their play on Tuesday night shows it is not sustainable.
The likely conclusion is that the Oilers are forced to make an upgrade in net either before the 2026 NHL trade deadline or the following offseason when the contracts of Pickard and Skinner expire.
Although it feels that things have hit rock bottom, it is scary to think that the Oilers goalies could continue to get worse before changes are made. Now it is up to Bowman and co. to not wait until the Oilers season is unsalvagable.