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Oilers Trading Jarry Not Happening… Don’t Even Suggest It

Originally posted on NHL Trade Talk | Last updated Feb 26, 2026 11:47 AM ET

The Edmonton Oilers have $26.5m tied up in Tristan Jarry, Darnell Nurse, Trent Frederic, Adam Henrique, Andrew Mangiapane, and Mattias Janmark. That’s almost 28% of the cap. On Wednesday night, a talking point was the money being spent on one name in particular: Tristan Jarry.

Jarry got pulled from the game midway through the third period when the score was tied 5-5. The Oilers needed a save, and it seemed clear he wasn’t going to get it for them. “I wasn’t happy with the goaltending, especially in the third period. It wasn’t his best game,” head coach Kris Knoblauch said after the Edmonton Oilers’ loss to the Anaheim Ducks.

The Oilers entered the third period in control, but a 4–2 lead evaporated quickly. Defensive breakdowns didn’t help, yet the moment that defined the game came when Tristan Jarry allowed three goals on five shots in the third, including a five-hole tally just 46 seconds after Edmonton had reclaimed the lead.

Knoblauch pulled Jarry in a tie game with 13 minutes remaining. It was a message.

Ingram Is Likely The Guy Now… But What About Jarry?

Connor Ingram came in and steadied things, but the Oilers couldn’t find another goal and ultimately dropped a winnable game. Ingram will likely get the start Thursday night versus the LA Kings. What happens with Jarry isn’t clear.

One thing we know won’t happen is a trade. Not only are the Oilers heavily invested in the netminder — both in terms of dollars and time — but there is no team taking on that contract. And, Jarry has trade protection in the form of a 12-team no-trade list.

And here’s the uncomfortable reality: there may not be an easy fix.

With as much tied up in unproductive players as the Oilers have right now, they are handcuffed in a significant way as the trade deadline approaches. They need a top-six forward, a third-line center, and a defenseman. Now, with goaltending questions, they might need to find a solution there, too. However, shipping out Jarry or making a trade for another goaltender feels unlikely. Edmonton invested heavily in him, and moving on now isn’t realistic.

So what do they do?

For this season, the answer may be uncomfortable: stand pat and hope Jarry finds his game. Lean on Ingram when necessary. Maybe put Calvin Pickard back in the mix.

Long-term, the Oilers may need to move Nurse and create serious cap flexibility and rebalance the roster. Until then, this is the hand they’ve dealt themselves.

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

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