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Oilers Linked To Blue Jackets Veteran As A Potential Replacement For Stuart Skinner

Originally posted on Hockey Latest | By Tom Banks | Last updated Jul 20, 2025 2:55 PM ET

The Edmonton Oilers have been potentially looking to replace Stuart Skinner this off-season, and now Elvis Merzlikins has emerged as a genuine option.

The Edmonton Oilers fell in the biggest moment of the season once again in 2025, and while it doesn't all lay at the feet of their goaltending, it has been recognized as a major weakness for this organization.

Thus far in the off-season, the Oilers have avoided changes to their goaltending as the price has seemingly been too high, but with training camp still quite some time away, there's time for them to make some changes.

Now, a new report has suggested a different option in net for Edmonton, naming Columbus Blue Jackets veteran Elvis Merzlikins as a potential replacement for Stuart Skinner.

The Blue Jackets netminder has two seasons left on his contract at $5.4 million AAV, and Merzlikins has asked for a trade once before. The Blue Jackets are open to just about anything this offseason if it makes sense for the future of their franchise. The Oilers have several trade candidates including Darnell Nurse, so things could heat up this summer between these two teams.

This idea to trade for Merzlikins is one that has been on the Oilers radar for a while now after fellow insider David Pagnotta suggested the move be made earlier this summer.

Over the past three years, the 31-year old veteran has not posted a GAA under 3.00 while also failing to post a save percentage above .900, and as such, he doesn't appear to be much of an upgrade over Skinner.

Still, a change of scenery could be just what the veteran goaltender needs, but with a $5.4 million salary cap hit, it's unclear just how wise it would be for Edmonton to pursue him.

Ultimately, the Oilers need some kind of change in net after the goaltending has let them down in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and while Merzlikins is an option, they're likely waiting for a much bigger opportunity to come up down the line.

This article first appeared on Hockey Latest and was syndicated with permission.

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