The Edmonton Oilers enter the 2026 offseason with major questions hanging over the organization after their Stanley Cup chase was burned to ashes. Injuries, shaky goaltending, and uneven performances throughout the regular season exposed several issues the front office can no longer afford to overlook.
After reaching back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals in previous years, Edmonton now heads into a critical summer where improving stability in net has become one of the organization’s top priorities.
As trade speculation continues to build around the league, one experienced goaltender from a Western Conference rival has quietly started drawing attention as a potential fit for the Oilers.
Oilers Linked to Avalanche Goalie Mackenzie Blackwood
Mackenzie Blackwood has now entered the conversation surrounding Edmonton’s offseason plans after The Athletic’s Allan Mitchell connected the Oilers to the Colorado Avalanche netminder. Blackwood, who signed a 5-year, $26.25 million contract extension after joining Colorado in December 2024, carries a $5.25 million annual cap hit through the 2029-30 season.
Despite being viewed as part of Colorado’s long-term goaltending picture, Mitchell suggested the Avalanche could still consider moving the veteran goalie because of salary structure and internal depth.
In his column for The Athletic, Mitchell wrote, “Blackwood of the Colorado Avalanche posted a .914 save percentage, but was outplayed by Scott Wedgewood. Blackwood’s $5.25 million AAV is more than double Wedgewood’s $2.5 million, and the Avalanche may decide to move the more expensive option.”
Mitchell also pointed toward Edmonton potentially revisiting its goaltending setup entirely after the club’s disappointing finish. The Oilers were eliminated by the Anaheim Ducks in 6 games during the first round, marking their earliest postseason exit since 2021 despite entering the year with championship expectations.
While Edmonton could still explore internal adjustments involving its current tandem, Mitchell identified Blackwood as one of the more attractive names potentially available this summer. “If [Filip] Gustavsson or Blackwood come available, Bowman may make a trade for a veteran stopper,” Mitchell wrote while discussing possible offseason scenarios for the Oilers.
The veteran analyst later expanded on Edmonton’s possible trade priorities and again included Blackwood among the organization’s strongest fits. Mitchell wrote, “Based purely on talent and need, Bowman would be wise to heavily consider [Jordan] Kyrou and Blackwood.”
ALSO READ: Oilers Warned Against Sinking $6,000,000 Into St. Louis Blues’ Jordan Binnington
Blackwood stabilized Colorado’s crease after arriving from the San Jose Sharks and became an important part of the Avalanche lineup during the 2024-25 campaign. However, his lack of postseason action for Colorado and the club’s salary commitments have continued to fuel speculation around his long-term status.
For Edmonton, the situation largely comes down to whether management believes Blackwood can provide the consistent playoff-level goaltending the organization lacked during its difficult 2025-26 season.
