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Third-Stringer to Oilers’ Starter: Ingram’ Amazing Jump

Originally posted on NHL Trade Talk | By Old Prof | Last updated Mar 16, 2026 1:46 PM ET

Connor Ingram wasn’t about to let this opportunity pass him by. They gave him the starting job for the Oilers, and he came through—stopped 26 shots, posted a .963 save percentage, and helped grab a really important win against Nashville.

That kind of game isn’t just about stopping pucks—it’s about mindset. When a goalie knows the crease is his, it changes everything. No looking over your shoulder, no worrying about the next start. You just play your game, trust yourself, and react. For Ingram, this early success is proof that the confidence boost from the promotion might already be paying dividends.

Ingram Jumped from Oilers Third-Stringer to Starter This Season

Connor Ingram came into the season as Edmonton’s third goalie, spending most of his time in Bakersfield. Now he’s been named the starter, and so far he’s showing he can handle the spotlight.

Ingram spent the season doing the quiet stuff—learning on the fly, waiting for his opening, and showing he could handle the heavy workload. Now that the team’s committed to him as a starter, he plays freer: takes calculated chances, doesn’t hesitate, and zeros in on making saves instead of doubting every read. That’s the power of getting the coaches’ full backing. Sometimes, for a goalie, that inner belief outweighs even the best technique.

Suddenly, Ingram’s Moves Are in Edmonton’s Spotlight

Of course, being the starter comes with a spotlight. Every goal allowed, every rebound, every bounce gets noticed. Ingram now carries the pressure of being the starter on his shoulders every night. Now comes the real test. Can he be consistent?

The early signs are encouraging, but the challenge is keeping up the kind of play that helps his team win games. So far, in limited starts, Ingram looks solid in his new role. Now he gets to see if he can raise his game to the next level. Oilers fans will only know when he’s put together a few more starts against the NHL’s top teams.

For Ingram and the Oilers, There Could Be a Huge Upside

The upside could be huge. I can go one of two ways. First, Ingram’s play could fall apart. If that happened, the Oilers’ season might be in jeopardy. But there is an upside, too. Playing every night against high-end opponents is the kind of experience that can accelerate a goalie’s growth.

Every big save, every time he handles the pressure, it builds confidence. If Ingram keeps riding a wave of success, he could turn into the dependable goalie the Oilers have needed.

So Far, Ingram Has Answered the Bell for the Oilers

At the end of the day, this promotion is a challenge for Ingram to show what he can do – or what he can’t. So far, Ingram has looked pretty solid. If he keeps his solid play up, the Oilers might finally have the kind of goalie they can trust game in and game out.

Can he be the guy to finally get the Oilers past that ‘so close’ stage and into the Cup? If Ingram stays hot and carries them through the tough spots, that would make this a truly special year for Edmonton—maybe the one where it finally clicks.

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

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