The Edmonton Oilers are taking a different approach in goal heading into the 2026-27 season.
After an active offseason led by general manager Stan Bowman, the Oilers are expected to carry three goaltenders on their NHL roster: Frederik Andersen, Tristan Jarry, and Devon Levi. While the setup is unusual, Captain Connor McDavid believes it could be one of the team’s biggest strengths.
Connor McDavid Backs Oilers’ Three-Goalie Strategy
Speaking about the team’s goaltending situation at the seventh annual Zach Hyman Celebrity Classic, McDavid said the decision is about preparing for the long NHL season (84 games) and making sure the Oilers always have a reliable option in net.
“He was really solid,” McDavid said of Andersen. “It’s really exciting, and bringing in Levi too, having a kind of three-goalie system, Carolina’s done that for a little bit and obviously had success. Injuries happen, and you have to have somebody ready to go in there, and we’ll always have that.”
Edmonton’s new goaltending group offers a blend of experience and youth.
Andersen arrives after winning the Stanley Cup with the Carolina Hurricanes and brings veteran leadership and playoff experience. Jarry, meanwhile, is looking to bounce back after an inconsistent stretch and re-establish himself as a dependable starter. Levi, acquired from the Buffalo Sabres this summer, gives the Oilers a talented young goaltender with plenty of upside for the future.
The strategy also makes sense considering Andersen and Jarry have both dealt with injuries in recent seasons. Carrying a third NHL-caliber goalie allows Edmonton to better manage workloads and avoid overplaying either veteran.
It also benefits Levi, who can continue developing alongside two experienced goaltenders without the immediate pressure of becoming the team’s No. 1.
The Oilers are in a position to make the plan work after creating significant salary cap flexibility by moving Darnell Nurse’s contract earlier this summer.
Forward Zach Hyman is also excited about Andersen joining the team.
“I talked to Freddie. He just got married, so big congrats to Freddie, and he just won, obviously. So, two rings for him in one summer, which is pretty good. But Freddie … he’s an unbelievable person, unbelievable teammate, and an unbelievable goalie who’s now won, right? And that’s his pedigree. So, we’re lucky to have him,” Hyman said.
Of course, carrying three goaltenders is not without challenges.
Sharing practice time between three netminders can make it harder for each goalie to stay in rhythm, while rotating starts requires patience and mental adjustment from everyone involved.
Still, the Oilers believe the benefits outweigh the drawbacks.
After previous seasons in which injuries and inconsistency in goal became major storylines, Edmonton now has three capable options it can rely on throughout the regular season.
For McDavid, the reasoning is straightforward. A long NHL season demands depth, and if injuries arise, as they often do, the Oilers want to be prepared rather than scrambling for answers.
