The Edmonton Oilers have a daunting task ahead as they try to fix their goaltending situation after a disappointing end to their 2025-26 season in the first round of the playoffs. Salary cap pressure continues to limit management’s options, making any effort to retain pending free agents like Connor Ingram far more complicated.
As the team searches for answers in net, internal discussions are intensifying while rival teams circle from afar.
With free agency drawing closer, one Atlantic Division contender is reportedly preparing to make a serious push for Ingram after he emerged as the Oilers’ starting option during an unstable season.
Ottawa Senators Among Teams Monitoring Connor Ingram’s Free Agency Situation
Ingram has emerged as one of the more intriguing names in the upcoming free agent market, and recent reporting suggests the Oilers could face competition from an Atlantic Division team if they hope to keep him.
The 29-year-old goaltender is set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1 after completing the final season of his contract. Edmonton benefited from a team-friendly cap hit during his time with the organization after salary retention helped reduce the financial burden of his deal.
This arrangement, however, is no longer in place as he prepares to enter the open market.
The strongest connection so far has come from the Ottawa Senators. In a recent Ottawa Citizen column, veteran NHL reporter Bruce Garrioch wrote, “There is a lot of talk that UFA Connor Ingram will be a target for the Senators on July 1.”
This report adds to Edmonton’s offseason challenge. Ottawa has been searching for a dependable backup behind Linus Ullmark and appears to view Ingram as a realistic solution. The Senators are looking for a goaltender capable of handling a meaningful workload while providing stability throughout the regular season.
The fit makes sense for several reasons.
Ottawa has financial flexibility entering the summer and operates in a market where reliable goaltending options are limited. With the free agent goalie class viewed as relatively thin, teams seeking dependable depth may be forced to act aggressively.
Edmonton, meanwhile, finds itself in a more complicated position. Tristan Jarry remains under contract with a cap hit exceeding $5 million annually, and moving that deal is not expected to be easy. Re-signing Ingram at market value would significantly increase the organization’s investment in its goaltending tandem.
These financial realities have led many around the league to believe the Oilers may struggle to match competing offers. Reports indicate management could allow Ingram to test free agency rather than commit substantial cap space to the position. And if that happens, teams like Ottawa, Boston Bruins, and Montreal Canadiens could look at Ingram as an option for backup roles.
The uncertainty surrounding Ingram’s future also affects Edmonton’s broader offseason plans. If he departs, the Oilers may need to explore the trade market for alternative solutions.
For Ottawa, the pursuit appears straightforward. The team wants a reliable second goaltender behind Ullmark, and Ingram checks many of the boxes they are seeking.
For Edmonton, however, the situation is more complicated. Unless circumstances change before July 1, the Oilers may find themselves watching one of their more dependable goaltenders draw serious attention from elsewhere in the Eastern Conference.
