Stuart Skinner’s ups and downs in net have Oilers fans divided about what to do with their goaltending situation heading into next season.
Some want a complete overhaul. Others think tweaking the backup role might be enough.
But NHL insider Elliotte Friedman has changed his mind about replacing Calvin Pickard as the team’s No. 2 goalie for 2025-26.
The Oilers have come painfully close to glory these past two years, falling to the Florida Panthers in back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals.
"Replacing Pickard wouldn’t solve their problems," Friedman said on his latest podcast, walking back his earlier suggestions about shaking up the backup position.
It’s a tricky situation for Edmonton. Skinner has shown flashes of brilliance but hasn’t quite found the consistency you need from a championship-caliber starter.
Pickard, meanwhile, has been solid in his backup role. He’s given the team exactly what you want from a No. 2: reliable spot starts and a steady presence in the locker room.
The question now is whether the Oilers will stick with their current tandem or make a bigger splash in the goalie market this summer.
With Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl in their prime years, the pressure to get it right has never been higher.
