The Edmonton Oilers continue battling through their goaltending nightmare. Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard have combined to post the worst team save percentage in the NHL this season. The duo’s struggles have cost the franchise countless games, ultimately relegating them to the bottom half of the Pacific Division.
Management has since taken this as a wake-up call to finally come up with solutions to address the crisis. One name has emerged as a potential target that could transform Edmonton’s fortunes. But even with that target in mind, one insider suggests the Oilers might pursue a complete overhaul of their goaltending situation rather than a simple addition.
Insider Explains Why Oilers Could Move Both Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard
Jeff Marek addressed Edmonton’s goaltending situation during a recent appearance on his show, The Sheet. He believes acquiring Pittsburgh Penguins netminder Tristan Jarry could spark a complete teardown of the current tandem.
“This would be the definitive improvement in net,” Marek said regarding a potential Jarry acquisition. “I think Pickard’s probably gone too.”
Marek drew a comparison to what Colorado did last season when addressing their goaltending issues. Rather than simply adding depth, the Avalanche completely swapped out their crease options. “I think this is going to be what we saw from Colorado last season, a swapping out of two,” Marek explained.
The suggestion represents a dramatic shift in how Edmonton might approach its goaltending problems. Rather than hoping one of Skinner or Pickard finds their game, management could cut bait entirely and start afresh.
Jarry has struggled in Pittsburgh this season, but his track record suggests he could rebound in a new environment. The 29-year-old posted a .909 save percentage in 2023-24 and earned All-Star honors in 2020. His experience and pedigree represent a significant upgrade over Edmonton’s current options.
The Penguins have reportedly shown a willingness to move Jarry, given their own goaltending situation.
Pittsburgh’s emergence under new head coach Dan Muse has come despite inconsistent netminding. Acquiring assets for Jarry while his value remains reasonable makes sense for a franchise trying to maximize its competitive window with Sidney Crosby still involved.
For Edmonton, the appeal is obvious. Jarry provides a veteran presence with playoff experience who could stabilize the crease. Pairing him with a new backup rather than the struggling Pickard would give the Oilers a completely fresh start between the pipes.
The Oilers currently own a .860 team save percentage, their lowest through 25 games since joining the NHL in 1979-80. That historically bad number has torpedoed any momentum the team has tried to build this year.
Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl can only outscore defensive problems for so long. Now, whether Stan Bowman pursues the complete goaltending overhaul Marek suggests remains to be seen. The insider’s analysis indicates Edmonton’s front office recognizes half-measures won’t solve their crease crisis.