Welcome to today’s edition of NHL Rumours from us here at Last Word On Hockey, Edmonton Oilers style. Our focus will be on their goaltending situation. However, we do quickly provide a bigger update, given who the guest appearance was they had with them on the podcast.
NHL Rumours: The Oilers Front Officer is Going with What they Have in Net
Rumour: The Inside Sports Podcast had general manager Stan Bowman on and chatted about the goaltenders. Bowman suggested his staff had analyzed what was available on the market, and didn’t see any tangible upgrades.
Analysis: It makes sense that if you don’t see a way to make a big improvement, to not do anything. This is especially so for such a delicate position as an NHL goaltender.
Daren Millard and John Shannon had Oilers general manager Stan Bowman on for a chat.
Before we get into the main rumour on the goaltending, something a little bigger.
Okay, First, The McDavid Contract Situation
The obvious starting discussion point is the Connor McDavid contract situation. There is chatter that something may be coming once the busy offseason calms down. Leon Draisaitl‘s wedding being first and foremost. Furthermore, Bowman wasn’t really showing his cards at this time. He simply stated what has happened. The Oilers let McDavid’s representatives know they’re available. Moreover, he said that he had had great conversations with both player and agent. That would’ve been more so when the season had ended.
Okay, with the McDavid business dealt with, on to our other discussion. A Shannon suggests, the Oilers have seen a bit of a roster transformation since the season’s conclusion. Bowman said he wanted to make a few changes. In addition, he mentioned always wanting to bring in some ‘newness’ to the group. A trait he had carried with him even back to his Chicago Blackhawk days. For this Oilers roster, he wanted to bring in some youth, that helps to push the veterans. On the other side of the coin, he suggests the veterans help to teach the younger players how to get through the long grind of an NHL season.
In any case, the team will look different than they did in 2024-25. One position where there remains uncertainty, is their goaltending position.
One change he mentioned they had made, was changing goaltending coaches. Peter Aubry is in the position now, and Bowman said he has a good relationship with the two netminders. Moreover, in a position that’s so dependent on the mental-side of things, that relationship is so important. It helps with the up-and-downs of the position.
For Edmonton’s current on-ice situation, the two goalies had been there for a couple years. Sometimes change is good. In contrast, as Bowman stated “to change just to change it, I dont think I’ve ever been a big fan of that.” As it stands, and the ultimate purpose of these NHL Rumours, is that Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard will be the Oilers two goalies going into camp.
There’s a lot of focus on the goaltending, from the fan base. You could say it is simply the nature of the beast. Bowman is trusting in his people, and going with those most wise, and believing in their decision making. In addition, as it stands, the Oilers duo is strong. They have youthfulness, experience, and are clearly skilled. After all, these two goalies have got the team to back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals.
Yes, they’ve had inconsistencies, but they have also played well as a tandem. For example, they have been supporting each other, if one fails, the other steps up.
They still receive a lot of criticism. However, its a lot over the social media etc. You know a lot of those with little credibility at best. So, for now, it seems that Bowman believes in the process. The players seem to trust their goaltender tandem, so that’s what they’ll go with to start 2025-26.
Main Photo: Walter Tychnowicz-Imagn Images
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