Honestly, if you looked at the Edmonton Oilers' crease three months ago, you’d have seen a completely different picture. Stuart Skinner is gone. Brett Kulak is in Pittsburgh. And yet, the conversation in Edmonton hasn't slowed down for a second. The current Oilers news and rumors cycle is spinning faster than a Connor McDavid lap, mostly because the team is currently juggling three NHL-caliber goaltenders while staring down a massive salary cap headache.
It’s a weird spot to be in.
Tristan Jarry is finally back and healthy. He just blanked the Canucks with a 31-save shutout on Saturday night, which is exactly the kind of "I'm the guy" statement Stan Bowman needed to see after the mid-season trade. But here’s the kicker: Connor Ingram and Calvin Pickard are still in the building. You can’t keep three goalies forever. It’s awkward for the practice rotation, and it’s even worse for a team that’s basically counting pennies to stay under the cap.
The Goaltending Logjam and the Pickard Trade Buzz
Right now, the Oilers are using Adam Henrique’s LTIR stint to hide their cap problems. Henrique isn't expected back until after the Olympic break, which gives the front office a tiny bit of breathing room. But once he’s ready to play? Somebody has to go.
Why Calvin Pickard is the Likely Odd Man Out
Pickard is a heart-and-soul guy. The locker room loves him. But in the cold, hard business of the NHL, he’s the most logical trade chip. Rumors are already swirling around teams like the New York Rangers and Philadelphia Flyers.
The Rangers are in a full-blown panic. Igor Shesterkin went down with a lower-body injury on January 5th against the Utah Mammoth, and Jonathan Quick just hasn't been able to hold the fort. They’ve gone 0-4-1 since the injury and are bleeding goals. Pickard’s $1 million cap hit is a dream for a team like New York that needs a reliable stop-gap without blowing up their future.
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Then there’s Philly. Samuel Ersson hasn't exactly seized the throne while Dan Vladar handles the bulk of the work. If the Oilers can flip Pickard for a mid-to-late round pick, it clears the roster spot and prevents a "waiver wire" disaster where they lose him for nothing.
- Tristan Jarry: The undisputed #1 (for now).
- Connor Ingram: Proved he can handle a heavy workload during Jarry's injury.
- Calvin Pickard: The odd man out who likely moves before March 6th.
Draisaitl’s Absence and the "Next Man Up" Reality
We have to talk about Leon Draisaitl. The big German superstar is currently back in Germany dealing with a family illness. It’s a reminder that these guys are human beings first. While the team expects him back later this week during their eight-game homestand, his absence has forced head coach Kris Knoblauch to get creative with the lines.
You’d think losing a guy who has 67 points in 48 games would tank the offense.
Nope.
The 6-0 win over Vancouver proved this group has a different kind of depth this year. Jack Roslovic and Kasperi Kapanen both put up two goals in that game. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is sliding into the 2C spot, and honestly, he looks as comfortable as ever. It’s a good sign for the playoffs—if this team can score six without Leon, they’re going to be a nightmare to defend when he’s back.
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The Trade Targets: Who is Bowman Scouting?
With the March 6th trade deadline looming, the Oilers aren't just looking to sell goalies. They want a third-line center. Jesperi Kotkaniemi's name has popped up in a few circles, especially with Carolina looking to shake things up.
There's also been some wild speculation about Artemi Panarin, but let's be real: that would require a cap-clearing miracle. It would likely cost Andrew Mangiapane, Mattias Janmark, and a first-round pick just to make the math work. Is it possible? Maybe. Is it likely? Probably not. Bowman is more likely to target a physical "rental" winger like Kiefer Sherwood from Vancouver if the price is right.
The McDavid Extension: A Masterclass in Team Building
In case you missed the noise earlier this season, Connor McDavid basically gave the city of Edmonton a massive gift. He signed a two-year extension at $12.5 million per year.
Think about that.
Kirill Kaprizov just signed for $17 million a year in Minnesota. McDavid—the best player on the planet—took a "no-raise" deal to keep the Cup window open. He’s actually making $1.5 million less per year than Draisaitl’s new $14 million AAV.
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This isn't just news; it's a philosophy. By locking himself in through 2028 at a manageable number, he’s putting the pressure squarely on the front office to go get him another defenseman or a top-six winger. The window isn't just open; it's being held open by the captain's own paycheck.
What's Next for the Oilers?
The next ten days are crucial. With an eight-game homestand starting against the St. Louis Blues tonight, the Oilers have a chance to solidify their spot in the Pacific Division.
If you're tracking the Oilers news and rumors, keep your eyes on the waiver wire and the Flyers' box scores. If Philly or New York continues to struggle in net, a Pickard trade could happen any day now.
What you should watch for:
- The Draisaitl Return: Expect him back in the lineup by mid-week, likely against the Kings or Predators.
- The Goal Rotation: If Connor Ingram starts tonight against the Blues, it confirms the coaching staff doesn't trust Jarry to play back-to-backs just yet.
- The Mangiapane Factor: If the Oilers want to add a big name at the deadline, Andrew Mangiapane ($5.8M cap hit) is the primary piece that has to move.
The Oilers are currently sitting at 24-17-8. They aren't perfect, but they're dangerous. The goaltending situation is a "good problem" to have until the cap forces a move, and for the first time in a long time, the bottom-six forwards are actually carrying their weight.
Keep an eye on the goalie market. That's where the first domino will fall. If the Rangers get desperate enough to overpay for a backup, Stan Bowman will pull the trigger before you can even finish your morning coffee.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Monitor the NHL waiver wire daily; if Pickard isn't traded by the time Henrique is ready to return from LTIR, he will likely be placed on waivers.
- Watch the ice time of Vasily Podkolzin. His breakout performance on the top line with McDavid might change the Oilers' trade deadline priority from "scoring winger" to "defensive depth."
- Check the official Oilers' injury reports regarding Jake Walman. His health dictates whether the team pursues another left-shot defenseman before the March deadline.