Goaltending Shake-Up Looms: Experts Agree Edmonton Oilers Must Make Major Changes in Net to Reach Stanley Cup Glory
The Edmonton Oilers’ 2024–25 season ended in heartbreak, and once again, the conversation surrounding the team shifted to its goaltending. Despite the team’s incredible offensive firepower, elite defensive support, and passionate fanbase, the one glaring weakness that reared its head at the worst possible times was the man between the pipes. It’s not a new problem—goaltending inconsistency has haunted the Oilers for years. But this time, the frustration has reached a boiling point. Experts, analysts, former players, and even insiders close to the team all agree on one thing: it’s time for change.
The Oilers have long been known as a franchise that rides the highs and lows of its superstars. Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl have carried this team through some deep playoff runs. But even their generational brilliance can only do so much when games hinge on goaltending reliability. There is a sense among fans and experts alike that Edmonton’s window for winning is wide open—but only if they address the Achilles’ heel in net.
Over the past season, the Oilers deployed a rotation of goaltenders that included Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard, with brief appearances from Jack Campbell in the minors and as an emergency call-up. Skinner had his moments—flashes of brilliance that gave fans hope he could rise to the challenge. But in the playoffs, those moments were too often overshadowed by soft goals and shaky performances under pressure. Pickard performed admirably in limited duty, but he’s not the long-term answer. Campbell’s massive contract continues to hang over the franchise like a dark cloud, as he struggles to even reclaim an NHL job.
Goaltending coach Dustin Schwartz has been part of the organization since 2014, and while he’s guided some success stories, the recent trend of Oilers goaltenders regressing or failing to meet expectations has led to questions about whether fresh eyes and new techniques might be needed in the development department.
The problem isn’t just one of talent, but of timing and temperament. Skinner, still relatively young, may develop into a steady starter, but Edmonton can’t afford to wait. The championship clock is ticking, and every season not capitalized on with McDavid and Draisaitl at their peaks feels like a missed opportunity. Goaltending isn’t just a luxury for contenders—it’s a requirement. Look at recent Cup winners: Adin Hill in Vegas, Darcy Kuemper in Colorado, Andrei Vasilevskiy in Tampa. None of these teams won without getting at least solid, if not spectacular, performances from their goaltenders when it mattered most.
General Manager Ken Holland—now exiting his tenure—and his successor, likely Jeff Jackson or another in-house promotion, face a crucial offseason. The Oilers have cap space challenges and contract decisions to make, but it’s becoming clear that finding a new goaltender must be the top priority. Experts have pointed to several potential trade or free agency options that could give the Oilers a chance to reset in goal. Names like Juuse Saros, John Gibson, Linus Ullmark, and even Jacob Markstrom have floated around in trade rumors. None will come cheap, but then again, neither does failure.
Goaltending is the one position that can either elevate or sink a team regardless of the talent in front of it. The Oilers have arguably the best forward core in hockey, a top-five defenseman in Evan Bouchard, and a rejuvenated blue line led by Mattias Ekholm. The only missing piece is a goaltender who can steal a game—or at the very least, not lose it.
The Oilers’ playoff series against the Florida Panthers was the final straw for many fans and media personalities. In critical moments, Edmonton simply didn’t get the stops. Despite clawing their way back into the series with offensive explosions, too many leads evaporated, and momentum slipped away due to goaltending lapses. When a team works so hard to build a lead and the opposition ties it up with a weak goal from a bad angle, it demoralizes the bench, the fans, and the coaching staff. Kris Knoblauch, the relatively new head coach who made great strides this season, deserves a chance to work with a netminder who can backstop his system with confidence.
Former NHL goaltenders like Kevin Weekes, Martin Biron, and Corey Hirsch have all spoken openly on broadcasts and podcasts about Edmonton’s need to go bold this offseason. “You’ve got McDavid and Draisaitl—what are you waiting for?” said Weekes on national TV. “You need someone who’s going to give you a .915 save percentage minimum in the playoffs. That’s the line. Anything less, and you’re rolling the dice.”
There’s also the mental factor. Playoff hockey is a pressure cooker. Some goaltenders thrive in it. Others falter. Skinner’s body language during key playoff moments—head drooping after goals, hesitation when tracking pucks, shaky rebounds—didn’t inspire the kind of confidence a team needs from its last line of defense. That’s not to say he’s incapable of growing, but it’s a gamble the Oilers might not afford to take.
Free agency offers a thin but interesting list of potential stopgaps or experienced additions. Veteran names like Cam Talbot, who had a career resurgence, or Antti Raanta may not be long-term solutions, but they could provide insurance and mentorship. However, true long-term answers likely lie on the trade market or in the form of an aggressive draft-day move.
There’s also the prospect route. The Oilers have a few goaltenders in the pipeline, including Olivier Rodrigue and Ryan Fanti, but none are projected as immediate NHL starters. It would be foolish to bank on one of them suddenly seizing the role at the NHL level next season. The clock is ticking too loudly for Edmonton to rely on maybes and potential.
Team leadership has also signaled the importance of this offseason. Both McDavid and Draisaitl were measured but firm in their postseason comments. “We’re close. We believe in this group,” McDavid said. “But we know what it takes now, and we’re not satisfied.” It’s a message that resonates with fans who have witnessed heartbreak year after year despite elite talent.
In 2023, the Oilers went into the playoffs as a serious Cup contender and were undone by goaltending mistakes in a series they very well could’ve won. In 2024, the story was largely the same. If it happens again in 2025, it may be too late to keep the core together. Draisaitl’s contract is nearing expiration, and though both stars have publicly expressed loyalty to Edmonton, the NHL is a business. Players want to win—and if they feel like their best years are being wasted, change may come from inside the locker room.
Experts aren’t just speculating out of habit—they’re warning out of pattern. Edmonton has one of the most potent offensive arsenals in league history, yet is shackled by unreliable goaltending. The risk of standing pat is simply too high.
Kris Knoblauch has brought a renewed sense of discipline and cohesion to the team. His structured system helped improve defensive metrics and puck possession numbers, giving the Oilers a real identity. But even the best system fails when it’s not backed by saves. It’s like building a castle with no moat.
So what will the Oilers do?
There’s growing belief among insiders that they’ll target a big-name goaltender this summer—possibly via trade. It might cost a top prospect or a first-round pick, but that’s the price of contention. Other contenders like Vegas and Tampa Bay didn’t flinch when making bold goalie moves. Now it’s Edmonton’s turn.
Whether they trade for an elite name, sign a veteran, or restructure the goalie department entirely, one thing is clear: doing nothing is not an option. The status quo has already proven itself insufficient.
For a team this close, the final piece of the puzzle isn’t another elite forward or top-pair defenseman. It’s a goalie who can hold the line, make timely saves, and give the Oilers what they desperately need: trust in the crease.
The message from around the league, from within the fanbase, and from every analyst who’s watched this story unfold is unanimous. The time for patience is over. The time for change is now. The Oilers have done the hard work of building a contender. All that’s left is to protect it with the one position that matters most when the stakes are highest. It’s time for Edmonton to get their goalie—and get their Cup.
