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3 Reasons the Oilers’ Goalie Situation Suddenly Feels Off

Originally posted on NHL Trade Talk | By Old Prof | Last updated Mar 8, 2026 6:53 PM ET

Hockey teams make bold moves all the time. Sometimes they work. Sometimes they look fine for a while and then start to wobble. And every once in a while, you get a trade that starts raising eyebrows almost immediately.

That might be where the Edmonton Oilers are right now.

The Skinner and Kulak Trade to the Penguins Looks Iffy

When Edmonton sent Stuart Skinner and defenseman Brett Kulak to Pittsburgh for Tristan Jarry, the reaction around the league was a little mixed. Skinner had his critics. But he’d been part of the team for a while, and his tandem with Calvin Pickard had settled into something pretty reliable. Not spectacular, maybe — but steady.

Jarry was supposed to be the upgrade. So far, though, the early returns have people asking questions.

Through his first stretch with Edmonton, Jarry’s numbers haven’t been great. A goals-against average around 3.85 and a save percentage below .870 isn’t what a contender hopes to see from its new No. 1 goalie. The Oilers didn’t make that trade just to get average goaltending. They were looking for a difference-maker.

And right now, that hasn’t shown up.

How Has the Oilers’ Goalie Play Become Shaky?

Here are three reasons the situation feels a little shaky.

Reason 1. The Oilers’ Results Just Aren’t There Yet

This one is simple. Goalies get judged by what goes on the scoreboard. If pucks keep going in, people start asking questions. Skinner had rough patches in Edmonton, but he also had stretches where he played very well and gave the team a chance to win most nights.

Jarry hasn’t quite found that rhythm yet. Maybe he will. But the Oilers were hoping that part would show up right away.

Reason 2. An Oilers’ Dressing Room Factor Has Emerged

Team chemistry matters more than fans sometimes realize. Skinner and Pickard were both popular guys in that Oilers room. They worked hard, kept things pretty low-key, and didn’t stir much up publicly. Now there are hints that things might not be quite as smooth with the new setup.

Insider Bob Stauffer mentioned seeing some frustration during practice, and Jarry’s comments about the team’s defensive play raised a few eyebrows. Nothing explosive. But in hockey rooms, little things can linger.

Reason 3. The Price to Bring in Jarry Wasn’t Small

The trade didn’t just swap goalies. Edmonton also gave up Brett Kulak, who played an important role on the blue line, plus a future second-round pick. And unlike Skinner, Jarry has two more years left on his contract at over $5 million per season.

If the goaltending upgrade works, nobody complains. If it doesn’t… suddenly the cost looks a lot heavier.

The Bottom Line for the Oilers

It’s still early, and goalies can turn things around quickly. Anyone who’s watched hockey long enough knows that. But right now, the Oilers look like a team that traded away a comfortable situation in net for something a little less certain. And when you’re chasing a Stanley Cup, uncertainty in the crease is the last thing you want.

This article first appeared on NHL Trade Talk and was syndicated with permission.

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