Edmonton Oilers passed on two top goalies still in NHL playoffs

Stuart Skinner was pulled from the Oilers last game after he was smiling, laughing, and playing up to the crowd while down 5-2.

Stuart Skinner currently ranks last among all NHL goalies in playoff performance this season, but two goalies on the list were of particular interest to Edmonton: Mackenzie Blackwood and Anthony Stolarz - both ranking positively and in the top 10.

Mackenzie Blackwood began the season the San Jose Sharks, and was identified as a prime trade target for the Oilers early this season.

The Sharks did end up trading Blackwood, but the Oilers were unwilling to meet the price. The Avalanche dealt a package including Georgiev, a young player, and draft picks.

For the Oilers, a trade for Blackwood would've been Pickard, a player like Podkolzin, and draft picks.

Oilers analysts weren't fond of challenging Skinner for the starter's role, and the front office clearly wasn't as well. A deal would've been possible by trade assets and cap space, but the Oilers passed.

Additionally, fans are brining up the failure of letting Anthony Stolarz slip through their fingers.

Now having an incredibly successful season with the Maple Leafs on a contract for only $2.5M, the Oilers literally ceded the rights to Stolarz in 2019.

The Oilers acquired Stolarz in the deal that sent Cam Talbot to Philadelphia, and only played him for 6 games, which allowed him free agency rights and let him walk from the organization. Even this offseason, the Oilers could've signed Stolarz over Pickard just around $1M more.

For quite a while now, the Oilers organization has seemed completely unable to properly evaluate goaltending talent. Based on these two huge missed opportunities, they need to seriously improve their goalie scouting.