How the Oilers Should Handle Their Goaltending Logjam

The Edmonton Oilers have a logjam between the pipes, having eight goaltenders signed by the organization. Frederik Andersen, Tristan Jarry, Devon Levi, Matt Tomkins, Connor Ungar, Nathaniel Day, Samuel Jonsson, and Eemil Vinni are all under contract for the 2026-27 season. Vinni was recently signed to a one-year, two-way contract by the Bakersfield Condors of the American Hockey League (AHL), further complicating the organization’s goaltending situation.

Where Will the Goalies Play?

Andersen, Jarry, and Levi should be the NHL’s goaltending trio, but where will everyone else play? They have five goaltenders with a legitimate chance of playing AHL games, but they can’t all play. Tomkins will be a lock for the AHL roster given his age and experience. Ungar should also be on the Condors’ roster. At 24, he’s an older prospect who needs to be challenged at the next level.

The same could be said for Jonsson. He had a breakout season for the Fort Wayne Komets of the ECHL, posting a 2.38 goals-against average (GAA) and a .910 save percentage (SV%) in 33 games last season. He’s 22, and an AHL call-up should be the natural progression in his development. If Jonsson struggles to find playing time at the next level, don’t be surprised if he goes back to Europe for a season.

Then, there is Day, who should spend this season in the ECHL. He played 39 games for the Komets last season, posting a 2.76 GAA and an .893 SV%. He was a sixth-round pick by Edmonton in 2023, and he’s still only 21 years old. Other goaltenders in the system are further along in their development, which should keep him in the ECHL.

Finally, the newly-signed Vinni is a wild card. The 20-year-old was a second-round pick by Edmonton in 2024, but he hasn’t stayed healthy since his name was called on draft day. He played just 21 games last season in Mestis, Finland’s second-highest league. Now, he is playing in North America for the first time and should start in the ECHL. With five goalies fighting for four spots in the AHL and ECHL, one netminder may get loaned to another ECHL team, similar to Ungar last season. Ungar struggled to find playing time, so he played for three different ECHL teams, and that might happen again. Since it’s his first professional season, Finni may be the one to be loaned. The youngsters need playing time to help their development, but where will they get it?

Tomkins Is Blocking the Youth

The biggest question is what to do with Tomkins. He’s a veteran AHL netminder, but that’s his ceiling. He’s 32 years old and has plateaued as a career AHLer. He’s steady and reliable, which teams value. However, the organization has four goalies who require playing time and need an opportunity to climb up the ranks and gain experience at various professional levels. Tomkins’ presence prohibits that.