Oilers announce emergency recall for top goalie prospect after injury to Stuart Skinner

The Oilers have confirmed as of last night that Skinner will not travel with the team to Seattle, necessitating the recall for Rodrigue. Additionally, Derek Ryan has been loaned back to the AHL.

The Edmonton Oilers selected Rodrigue in the second round, 62nd overall in the 2018 Draft. Now 24 years old, the Quebecois goalie has spent 5 full seasons with the AHL's Bakersfield Condors.

Rodrigue was stellar in the Oilers AHL system from 2022-2024, but beginning this season has seen his stats decline. Last year Rodrigue was incredible with a .916 save percentage in 37 games, but this year has dropped to a .899 in 40 games.

Regardless of his decline in stats, Rodrigue has been long overdue for a chance in the NHL.

He likely won't play tonight, as Cal Pickard is still fresh after playing just 10 minutes last night, but perhaps the Oilers give him his long awaited NHL debut.

For the sake of rewarding an experienced prospect and using the opportunity presented, the Oilers should try giving Rodrigue a start or two while he's called up. It couldn't hurt to see what he can bring to the team.

There's no official return timeline for Stuart Skinner yet, and there may not be with a head injury. The immediate concern for Skinner will be a concussion, and those are injuries famously difficult to deal with.