Oilers and Blues Connected in Potential Blockbuster Deal

The Edmonton Oilers have a problem in net, and the whole hockey world knows it. They’re going to have to make a move to upgrade at the position at some point; it’s just whether they’ll be able to pull something off before the trade deadline, or if that will have to wait for the offseason, when more salary cap space opens up.

For a team with expectations nothing short of a Stanley Cup, taking the cautious approach is not going to sit well with anyone, but the problem is the lack of true number one goaltending options on the trade market.

While that’s undoubtedly the case, one possibility could be opening up, given the struggles of the St. Louis Blues, and that’s veteran netminder Jordan Binnington. Sportsnet insider Nick Kypreos included Binnington on his latest trade board, linking him to the Oilers in a potential deal that would also involve a Blues defenseman and, in turn, send Stuart Skinner back the other way.

Kypreos wrote:

“Binnington has one more season on his contract and the sense is he won’t be part of any re-tool the Blues might undergo. The strongest speculation ties Binnington to Edmonton, and that the Oilers are also seeing if they can get a defenceman out of St. Louis at the same time. That potential deal would most likely be built around Stuart Skinner going back to St. Louis to team up with Hofer,”

The 32-year-old Binnington is in the fifth season of the six-year, $36 million extension he signed with the Blues back in 2021, while Skinner, 27, is a pending UFA in the final season of his three-year, $7.8 million deal signed to stay in Edmonton in 2022.

Is Jordan Binnington a Good Fit in Edmonton?

Since winning a Stanley Cup as a rookie, Binnington’s play has been an absolute roller coaster ride in St. Louis, so it is somewhat of a gamble should the Oilers look to acquire him.

That being said, Edmonton has seen firsthand just how difficult it is to find good goaltending when you don’t have it, so when a player as talented and proven in the biggest moments and on the biggest stage like Binnington becomes an option, you have to pursue it.