Oilers Have Only One Option For Outside Goalie Help

It's every general manager's worst fear: that their team's season is derailed by poor goaltending.

Bad goaltending can ruin seasons and get good coaches fired -- just ask the Boston Bruins and their recently fired coach Jim Montgomery. With a save percentage of just .879 on the season, the Oilers are in danger of seeing it happen to them.

For all the worry about the Oilers' blueline and the trade rumours linking them to various defencemen, it's the defence that's been let down by the goalies, not the other way around. Their xGA/60 is actually among the league's top 10, and they're firmly middle-of-the-pack in high-danger chances against.

The Oilers have shown no indication they're thinking of trading for a goaltender, but it's at least worth a look. While Stuart Skinner has been the real disappointment (-8.9 GSAx, .881 SV%), he's got a longer track record and more trust from the Oilers' staff than Calvin Pickard, so any acquisition would likely result in Pickard being replaced to create a 1A/1B situation with Skinner and the new guy.

Ideally, that would mean someone is always hot and both netminders get decent rest and an equal amount of starts. Looking around the league, there aren't too many options to acquire a reliable goaltender in trade, especially one with a modest cap hit. In fact, there might only be one.

MacKenzie Blackwood, SJ

27-year-old MacKenzie Blackwood serves as a reminder of the incredible unpredictability of goalies, as well as how important context is when evaluating them. After crashing out in New Jersey, Blackwood has enjoyed a remarkable career renaissance on the tanking San Jose Sharks.

While last year's .899 save percentage looks bad on the surface, it's important to remember he did that behind the worst team in the NHL. He actually saved 2.4 goals above expected in 44 games last season, a number he's already improved on in 2024-25. This year, he's saved 3.9 goals above expected in just 12 games, with a .911 save percentage that'll look good anywhere in this high-scoring environment.

Better yet, Blackwood looks extremely tradeable. With their recent call-up of top prospect Yaroslav Askarov, the Sharks are already looking towards the future in net. A free agent after this season with a 2.35 million dollar cap hit, Blackwood is unlikely to stay in San Jose after this season anyway. The Sharks should be highly motivated to trade Blackwood this season and get something useful in return.

The Oilers, meanwhile, should be highly motivated to acquire him. Not only does Blackwood have a history of playing well behind worse defences than Edmonton's, but his presence would lessen the burden on Stuart Skinner and possibly improve his numbers.

A Blackwood trade has seemed inevitable for a while now, and with Askarov's arrival, it now seems imminent. The Oilers should absolutely be at the front of the line.

All advanced stats courtesy of MoneyPuck.

Bookmark The Hockey News Edmonton Oilers team site to never miss news, interviews, or any other updates on the Oilers.

Related: Oilers' Knoblauch Sings New Forward's Praises

Related: Edmonton Set To Host PWHL Game At Rogers Place

Related: What Kasperi Kapanen Brings To The Oilers

Related: Stuart Skinner Needs To Turn Things Around -- And Quick

Related: Oilers Defence In Store For Big Challenge

Related: Oilers Stars Shine Bright In Big Win Over Senators