Edmonton Oilers Explore Trade Possibility with Boston Bruins for Jeremy Swayman in Search for Goaltending Stability and Depth
The Edmonton Oilers are no strangers to the narrative of championship contention. With Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl in their primes, the team’s offensive firepower has been among the NHL’s best for years. But every postseason run has exposed a glaring vulnerability: goaltending. This summer, that issue appears to be at the forefront of General Manager Ken Holland’s mind, as the team reportedly explored the acquisition cost for Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman. The information, revealed by Boston-based hockey commentator Jimmy Murphy, immediately set off waves of speculation among fans and insiders alike.
Swayman, 25, has emerged as one of the league’s top young netminders and was instrumental in Boston’s regular season and playoff success over the last two years. Given that he’s currently a restricted free agent and due for a hefty pay raise, it’s no surprise that teams are checking in to gauge Boston’s willingness to part with him—especially a team like Edmonton, whose Stanley Cup hopes rest heavily on solidifying the crease.
The Oilers’ current goaltending situation remains murky. Stuart Skinner, though still young and promising, had an inconsistent 2025 postseason and struggled at times under playoff pressure. Calvin Pickard played admirably in relief but is not a long-term solution for a team with title aspirations. Jack Campbell remains buried in the minors with a hefty contract, leaving the Oilers with few viable in-house options. This sets the stage for a potential blockbuster—if the Bruins are willing to listen.
But that’s a big “if.” The Bruins have long viewed Swayman as their goaltender of the future. Alongside Linus Ullmark, Boston boasted one of the NHL’s most effective tandems last season, and it was Swayman who took the reins during the playoffs. With Ullmark entering the final year of his deal and Boston transitioning into a new competitive window post-Patrice Bergeron, the front office may feel pressure to choose between the two. From a financial and age standpoint, Swayman is the logical choice to retain. However, if extension negotiations stall or if Swayman seeks a contract structure the Bruins find unpalatable, a trade could be forced into reality.
For Edmonton, this is a familiar scenario. The team has kicked the tires on big-name goaltenders in the past—from Darcy Kuemper to Jacob Markström—but has failed to pull the trigger. Part of that stems from Holland’s notorious patience and reluctance to part with young talent or draft picks unless absolutely necessary. But after another bitter playoff exit and the looming uncertainty surrounding Draisaitl’s extension status, time is running out to push this core over the hump. That means calculated risks must be taken, and Jeremy Swayman represents one of the most impactful—and expensive—options available.
To acquire Swayman, the Oilers would likely need to part with a high-end asset. Boston, if they are even considering a move, would demand a package that includes at least a first-round pick, a blue-chip prospect, and potentially an NHL-ready player. Names like Philip Broberg, Dylan Holloway, or even Xavier Bourgault might need to be on the table. There’s also the matter of cap space. Swayman is likely due a deal in the $5–7 million annual range, depending on term. Edmonton would need to clear space—potentially through a trade of Cody Ceci or even parting with a mid-level forward like Warren Foegele.
But the move would signal a shift in mentality. No longer would the Oilers be content hoping their current tandem simply plays better next time. Acquiring Swayman would provide a true No. 1 goaltender, someone capable of winning games outright in the postseason. His calm demeanor, technical precision, and competitive drive would be a stabilizing force for a team that has lived on the edge in goal far too long.
On the other side, the Bruins have decisions to make as well. If they believe they can re-sign Swayman and transition out of the Ullmark era, they likely do so without entertaining offers. But if a bidding war develops, Boston could be tempted to leverage the asset for significant roster upgrades, especially if they believe Brandon Bussi or another prospect is ready to back up Ullmark next season. And if they believe Swayman will eventually price himself out of their plans, getting something significant in return now may be preferable to a contract standoff or a departure later on.
For Oilers fans, the possibility of Swayman in orange and blue is enticing, if still remote. He represents a new standard in goal—young, athletic, and proven. Adding him would go a long way toward calming the chaos that has plagued the Oilers’ crease for years. But Edmonton will have to pay dearly, not just in assets but in cap management. The team’s front office has shown a desire to contend without mortgaging the future. But as each year slips by, and as McDavid and Draisaitl inch closer to potential free agency, bold moves become not just desirable, but necessary.
Trading for Jeremy Swayman would be bold. It would also be smart. The Oilers can no longer rely on “good enough” in net. They need a difference-maker, someone who can steal a game, turn a series, and elevate the team in its most vulnerable moments. Swayman has shown glimpses of that ability in Boston. In Edmonton, he’d be given the chance to become a playoff legend.
That opportunity may not come without cost, but the Oilers must weigh the cost of inaction just as seriously. Another season ending in disappointment, driven by shaky goaltending, would be unacceptable given the roster’s makeup. Fans are tired of the “what if” conversations and are hungry for results. If Jimmy Murphy’s report is accurate—and there’s no reason to believe otherwise—then the Oilers have already begun the most important conversation of their offseason.
Whether it leads to an actual trade or simply establishes a framework for further moves, one thing is clear: the Oilers are finally addressing their greatest flaw with urgency. The goaltending position is no longer an afterthought or a gamble. It’s the linchpin to their Stanley Cup dreams, and they’re treating it as such.
In the NHL, championship windows can close abruptly. Edmonton’s remains open, but not indefinitely. The pressure is on. Acquiring Jeremy Swayman would be a statement—one that says the Oilers are all-in, no more excuses. Whether it happens or not, the intent is finally there, and in professional sports, intent often precedes action.
Jeremy Swayman may never suit up for the Oilers, but just the fact that they’ve looked into him suggests a shift in how Edmonton is operating. It’s a team that no longer sees itself as a contender—it knows it is. And contenders don’t hope for goaltending miracles. They go out and get the goaltender who can deliver them.
