The Edmonton Oilers are rolling at the right time. They’ve won three straight games, capped by a thrilling 4-3 overtime comeback against the San Jose Sharks on Thursday, and now sit second in the Pacific Division.
While Edmonton has made a few roster moves this season, one early decision is now being labeled a clear success around the league, an under-the-radar goalie trade that’s paid off in a big way.
Oilers Praised for Early-Season Trade
Back in October 2025, the Oilers acquired goaltender Connor Ingram from the Utah Mammoth for future considerations. At the time, the move barely made a ripple. Ingram hadn’t taken part in the training camp, and Edmonton assigned him to the Bakersfield Condors to help him find his game.
The early results in the AHL were rough. Ingram posted a 4.04 goals-against average and an .856 save percentage, numbers that ranked near the bottom of the league.
NHL insider Rory Boylen broke down the Oilers’ mindset behind the move, explaining that the team knew heading into the season it might need more depth in net. Still, after reaching the Stanley Cup Final in back-to-back years, Edmonton wasn’t ready to move on from Stuart Skinner at the time. With few quality options available late in the offseason, Boylen summed it up simply: “So, they went to the bargain bin.”
At the time, Ingram was viewed strictly as depth. “With Skinner and Calvin Pickard already in the organization, the Oilers wanted Ingram for depth and a ‘call-up in case of emergency’ option,” Boylen added. “That emergency came in December.”
In December, Edmonton shook things up by trading Stuart Skinner to Pittsburgh in exchange for Tristan Jarry. Jarry made an immediate impact, winning his first three starts with the Oilers.
That momentum stalled on Dec. 18, when Jarry suffered a lower-body injury during a win over Boston. He was placed on injured reserve, forcing Edmonton to turn to Ingram.
The response has been impressive. Since his NHL call-up, Ingram has posted a 2.46 GAA and .905 save percentage in 11 games, going 6-3-1 while rotating duties with Pickard and now Jarry. His steady play has given the Oilers exactly what they needed during a crucial stretch of the season.
Boylen summed it up plainly. “Given Edmonton gave up ‘future considerations’ for the pending UFA Ingram and the Mammoth retained $800,000 on his contract, this move has been a major win for the Oilers.”
For now, Edmonton is comfortable rotating Tristan Jarry and Connor Ingram. With Ingram starting Thursday’s win over San Jose, Jarry is expected to get the nod in the upcoming matchup against the Minnesota Wild.
