The Edmonton Oilers may be on the verge of a significant change in net as the trade deadline approaches. Despite news that the Oilers will head into the 2025-26 with the same tandem from last season, several insiders and analysts are now suggesting that the combination of Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard might not last.

The latest comments come from Sports 1440's Jason Gregor, who said on the DFO Rundown podcast that it seems unlikely that the current crease duo of Skinner and Pickard will remain through the trade deadline. “I just think it’s inevitable there’s going to be a change there,” Gregor said.

Expect the Oilers to Make a Change During the Season

For Edmonton, the latest reports and opinions suggest a goalie change is not a matter of if, but when. While Skinner has been instrumental in backstopping the team to consecutive Stanley Cup Finals appearances, questions about his consistency aren't going away. And, with the Oilers in a position where they need to make a call on his future (he's a pending unrestricted free agent), taking another swing on an extension might not be in the cards.

Skinner is an affordable starter on a team-friendly $2.6 million contract. But, as goaltenders sign and the salaries for all players go up with the rising salary cap, a difficult decision on Skinner needs to be made. Gamble and lock him in? Or, let him leave, thinking that a multi-year deal at $5-6 million per season is the wrong move?

At the same time, while Pickard has been incredible in the backup role, he's likely not a long-term fix. He's shown glimpses of being a starter, but to ask him to do that over 50 NHL games each season would be asking a lot. There may be other options out there that the Oilers want to pursue, and flexibility in net means being willing to let Pickard go.

The trade deadline sounds like the Oilers' deadline to make a decision, even if one might be made sooner.

Allan Mitchell of The Athletic wrote in a mid-August column:

"The chances of Edmonton deploying these two men exclusively all season, including the playoffs, should be considered a long shot.... Fans should expect either a Stanley Cup delivered with Skinner-Pickard or a complete overhaul in goal by this time next year. Possibly sooner."

- source - 'Edmonton Oilers complete reasonable expectations for the 2025-26 season' - Allan Mitchell - The Athletic - 08/13/2025

With stars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl in their prime, the Oilers are operating in a win-now window, and the stakes in goal couldn’t be higher.

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Does Skinner Deserve to Be Surrounded By Trade Talk?

Despite the scrutiny, Skinner’s growth hasn’t gone unnoticed. Former Oiler Devan Dubnyk highlighted his maturity, saying to The Big Show this week, “He’s only 26 and already has more playoff experience than three-quarters of the league ever will. And he’s just hitting his prime.”

He added,  “He’s dealing with pressures that nobody else is dealing with."

Then again, Skinner has played a lot, and with a large sample size come judgments on his performances. In a hockey-mad market like Edmonton, players have to understand it's all part of the deal. “That’s part of the territory that you deal with in playing for a Canadian market. He’s done a really, really impressive job of handling it.”  

McDavid v. the Decade of Darkness: Part 5: The Drafts Before McJesus <i><b>Author's Note:</b></i>

What Goalies Might the Oilers Be Looking At?

Potential trade targets have already been floated.

Conversations that took place for Arturs Silovs fell through. The Oilers never got far on John Gibson before he was moved to Detroit. There are still options out there. 

New Jersey’s young goaltender Nico Daws and Detroit prospect Sebastian Cossa are two names reportedly under consideration. Michael DiPietro is someone out of Boston who could be intriguing, should he shake loose.

Edmonton could also leverage depth players such as Mattias Janmark and draft picks to facilitate a deal.

Whether it’s bringing in a fresh netminder or pairing Skinner with a high-upside partner, GM Stan Bowman is expected to act decisively, and he's only got so much time to do so. Any move could provide the stability in goal the Oilers have long sought — and potentially push them from strong contenders to legitimate Stanley Cup favorites.

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