Oilers General Manager Stan Bowman Answers Potential Goalie Trade For Edmonton

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Liam McCormick
November 30, 2024 (5:59 PM)

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The Edmonton Oilers have had an inconsistent season so far, largely due to their league-worst goaltending, but today General Manager Stan Bowman poured cold water on a goalie trade.

Speaking to Daniel Nugent-Bowman of the Athletic, Stan Bowman admitted that their goaltending isn't a team strength, but that it's not a priority for Edmonton right now.

I wouldn't say it's been a strength of our team. There have been certainly moments when the goalies have played great, and there's moments when they've been off their game. I don't think we've seen the best from them, but I wouldn't say it's like red alert or whatever.

They've been inconsistent, but they've shown moments where they can really bail us out when we aren't playing well. You'd like to try to have them bring that more often, and they're working on it. But it's not a big concern for me right now.
-Stan Bowman

Through 15 games so far this season, Stuart Skinner has just an .882 save percentage. Calvin Pickard has seen his share of start increase from last season to help Skinner as he struggles.

The Oilers so far rank near last place in every goaltending category, and Stuart Skinner is the one dragging them down. By goals saved above expected, the Oilers rank last in the NHL.

Earlier this season, NHL goalie analyst Steve Valiquette revealed that Skinner is the worst goalie in the league at lateral movement, and teams have seemingly been exploiting that weakness.

The Oilers and many fans still believe that the local kid Skinner can find his game again and be just a league average goaltender, which is all the Oilers need for success.

However, if Skinner continues to falter through the season, the Oilers simply can't go into the playoffs with the league's worst goaltending and consider themselves a Cup Contender.

The two best options for the Oilers right now are John Gibson, who would reportedly waive his no-trade clause to join Edmonton, and San Jose Sharks goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood a more management contract and a younger goalie having a great year.

Getting a more established goaltender to act as a tandem with Skinner may be the most impactful move the Oilers can make this season, but instead, Stan Bowman is still keeping his eyes on a trade for the defence, and improvements to the powerplay.

» I'd like to try to see our offensive game pick up. Connor and Leon are flying right now. But outside of those two, we haven't had a lot of guys really clicking on offence. That's probably the area - goal scoring... From Games 40 to 50 is when we're going to try to really decide which type of player would be the best one to add. If we can add a defenceman, we'd like to.»
- Stan Bowman

We'll see in the next few weeks if the Oilers decide to make a step to improve the team, or if they'll continue to be patient.