Top-tier goalies Stan Bowman is likely to consider before trade-deadline
Photo credit: James Guillory - USA TODAY Sports
The debate over the Oilers' goalie-dilemma continues to circulate across the NHL, with the central question being should Edmonton acquire a bona fide number-1 goaltender to replace Stuart Skinner.
However, due to cap-space constraints, a lack of trade assets, and the current goalie market, the primary obstacle to this option is who would the replacement be, and what is the likelihood of acquiring him.
Oilers' goaltending performances call for a trade
This year so far, Skinner has two wins and a .909 SV% in five starts, but has posted a SV% of under .900 in the games he lost.
Of course, no amount of stats will confirm what most fans already know: he's a wildly inconsistent goaltender who, though he's capable of playing at an All-Star level, is a huge liability when he's off his game.
In a recent article, several goaltenders were listed as possible trade-pieces with Edmonton, and whether their team could be persuaded to part way.
Both John Gibson and Cam Talbot of the Detroit Red Wings could be potential starters in Edmonton. With prospect Sebastian Cossa having an elite year in the AHL, he could be in goal for them next year, making one of Calbot, or Gibson expendable.
Elvis Merzlikins of the Columbus Blue Jackets is a good candidate also for Edmonton. Merzlikins has been with the Blue Jackets six years and in that time has been the subject of trade rumours, according to reports.
Now, goalies that will almost certainly be an upgrade on Skinner will require some finessing on the part of Stan Bowman, and would require parting ways with some 1st-round picks as well; but the net would be in good hands.
Reports indicate that Seattle may be considering a tank, in order to improve its odds of getting sure-fire generational talent Gavin McKenna from next year's draft, and so may entertain dealing Joey Daccord.
The Nashville Predators started last year losing five games in a row of its first seven, and have replicated the exact same record this year to begin 2025-26 season.
Acquiring Juuse Saros from the Nashville Predators is more of a pipe dream than a reality, unfortunately; but I can assure you that GM Stan Bowman is considering all of his options, even those that at the moment seem unrealistic.
Finally, Ilya Sorokin of the New York Islanders has been talked about recently as a potential trade target for Edmonton.
Sorokin is one of the NHL's best goalies, with a .915 career SV%, good for 23rd on the NHL's all-time list. He's a proven starter that can steal games in the playoffs and shut the door when needed.
He is precisely what Edmonton needs.
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OCTOBRE 23 | 230 ANSWERS Top-tier goalies Stan Bowman is likely to consider before trade-deadline Who would you rather have in net for Edmonton? | ||
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