Oilers' trade talks for goalie John Gibson reportedly take a huge turn

Reports surfaced last week that the Ducks may be willing to retain salary on Gibson, and he would waive his no-trade clause for Edmonton. Now, Anaheim's completely changed their tune.

According to a new report from NHL insider Elliotte Friedman, the Ducks may now decide to keep Gibson while making a push for the playoffs this season.

In addition to Gibson potentially moving off the trade market, insiders have shared that top free agent goalie Jake Allen is searching for $5M on his next contract - a number much higher than anyone expected for a 34 year old career 1B goalie.

The larger point is, the NHL goalie market looks incredibly weak this offseason, especially for the Oilers' goal of acquiring a proven starting goalie for a cup contending team.

It's leading some Oilers media members to actually start thinking about running back the same tandem of Skinner and Pickard.

The goalie market does look weak, but the Oilers don't have the option of running back subpar goaltending in another season of peak Connor McDavid. It's simply unjustifiable.

GM Stan Bowman and the front office will need to get seriously creative with their next goalie find. Whether it's a blockbuster trade for a goalie like Swayman or Sorokin, or a bargain signing of a goalie they believe can be a starter - any sort of change is better than pure hope for Stuart Skinner.