The Edmonton Oilers’ 2026 playoff run came to a crashing end with a 4-2 first-round series loss to the Anaheim Ducks. For a team that had reached back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals in 2024 and 2025, the early elimination felt like a massive step backwards and sparked major questions about the team’s future.
Now, one NHL analyst believes Edmonton needs to be careful about making another desperate move in goal, especially when it comes to St. Louis Blues netminder Jordan Binnington.
Oilers Face Risky $6M Jordan Binnington Decision
Edmonton’s season officially ended with a 5-2 loss in Game 6 against Anaheim, capping off a rough series for the Oilers’ goaltending.
Tristan Jarry and Connor Ingram both struggled throughout the series, with Edmonton allowing 23 goals in six games. The Oilers never found stability in net, and their defensive issues only made things worse.
The organization had already taken a major swing in December, moving Stuart Skinner to Pittsburgh in exchange for Jarry, but injuries and inconsistent play prevented that gamble from paying off. Eventually, Connor Ingram took over the crease, though the results still failed to turn the series around.
Now, management is facing heavy criticism for failing to solve the team’s goaltending problems during Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl’s prime years.
With limited cap space and several roster holes to address this summer, the Oilers are expected to explore every possible option in net.
However, NHL analyst Allan Mitchell isn’t convinced Binnington is the answer. “Jordan Binnington of the St. Louis Blues gets mentioned often, but his save percentage (.887) is shy of Ingram’s work and comes with a $6 million AAV. His acquisition would be based on faith more than recent NHL performance,” Mitchell said, writing in a column for The Athletic.
In Mitchell’s view, acquiring Binnington would be based more on reputation and faith than recent performance.
Instead, he believes GM Stan Bowman should stick with the current tandem and give the Ingram-Jarry combination more time before making another drastic change. Mitchell argued the organization hasn’t yet fully evaluated the moves Bowman already made during the season.
That said, if higher-end options like Filip Gustavsson or Mackenzie Blackwood unexpectedly become available, Edmonton could still explore a bigger move. Both goalies posted strong .914 save percentages and would likely provide a more stable long-term solution in net.
Whether Edmonton sticks with its current tandem or pursues a bigger move this summer, fixing the crease will likely define the franchise’s offseason, and potentially its future.
