The Edmonton Oilers goaltending situation has been a hot button topic for the last little while. The team clearly struggled between the pipes this past postseason, leading many to question the efficacy of their two goaltenders.
This led the Oilers to be connected to many goalies, either legitimate rumors or just pure fan speculation from armchair general managers. Alas, here we are nearing the end of August and no significant change has been made to the crease.
This comes even despite a promised “secondary trade market” that has not materialized in any way over the course of the summer, which has proven to be quite weak. This has led many to speculate that the Oilers will eventually make a move in-season.
Oilers goaltending situation
Recently, Oilers media personality, Jason Gregor speaking on the DFO Rundown podcast — made some interesting comments about the Oilers goaltending situation. Specifically, in regards to some possible changes to their crease.
Gregor is quoted as saying “I'll be surprised if after the trade deadline...the same two goalies are in Edmonton” this is in line with many people’s current speculation and some things we have heard recently. It also resonates with many fans who are hoping the club will make a move as soon as possible.
He later went on to say “I just think it's inevitable there's going to be a change there” which likely indicates there is nothing concrete — Which makes sense. The NHL deadline is over six months away and with the league stopping play to compete at the 2026 Winter Olympics, there is a lot of time between now and then.
There has been so much speculation and rumors surrounding the team and specifically with their netminders but given the Oilers have been able to make it to two straight Stanley Cup finals, the goaltending is not a desperate need, or is it?
According to evolving-hockey.com, the Oilers last season ranked third best in corsi against per 60 minutes (CA/60) at 5-on-5 during the regular season, while also being 11th in expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA/60) abut were 22nd in goals against per 60 (GA/60). This means that the team suppressed shots well and were even above average in limiting quality chances against but were unable to keep the puck out of their own net.
The team outscored a lot of their problems, which it helps when you have stars like Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Evan Bouchard but is not a sustainable mode of operating. Even still, I think the people demanding that the Oilers make a move in net are a little overreactive.
In the playoffs, the Oilers ranked ninth in CA/60, 10th in xGA/60, and seventh in GA/60. This indicates that goaltending was actually stronger in the postseason, than in the regular season and bailed the defense out in some cases. For context, the Panthers were fourth, third, and fifth in these same categories, respectively. This means that their goaltending was a little below expectations and also much better in all three categories than the Oilers.
I think it is clear that the team needs to make some real changes but it goes beyond the crease. Luckily, there have been some moves made and I think fans should take a breath and wait out the season to see how the changes that general manager Stan Bowman has made, play out before hitting the panic button.