The Edmonton Oilers are facing a major decision in goal as they head into free agency, with expectations that the team sign a veteran netminder to solidify the position.
After back-to-back losses in the Stanley Cup Final, goaltending remains the team’s biggest weakness. Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard have struggled with consistency, prompting speculation that Edmonton will make a move in net this offseason.
With free agency opening on July 1, theScore’s Josh Wegman predicts the Oilers will sign veteran goaltender Jake Allen to a two-year contract worth $4 million annually. “Allen should be a top target in a weak UFA goalie class,” Wegman wrote. “He’s not a true No. 1, but he’s a reliable tandem partner. Edmonton still wants Skinner to be the starter, but Allen offers solid insurance and would be a significant upgrade over Pickard if Skinner falters in the postseason.”
Allen served as the backup for the New Jersey Devils last season and is expected to fill a similar role in Edmonton, forming a tandem with Skinner. The 34-year-old just wrapped up a two-year, $7.7 million deal and is likely to sign for a similar amount in free agency. He posted a 13-16-1 record with a 2.66 goals-against average (GAA) and a .908 save percentage (SV%) last season. Over his career, he has appeared in 460 NHL games with a 2.76 GAA and .908 SV%.
Oilers GM Weighing Goaltending Options
Despite being a top-tier NHL team, Edmonton’s goaltending has been subpar. Ahead of free agency, Oilers general manager Stan Bowman acknowledged that the organization is reviewing its goaltending situation and will consider upgrades if the right fit is available.
“The evaluation process is ongoing,” Bowman said on June 28. “It’s not just about looking at who we have but also assessing what options exist. We’re not going to rush into a decision — we’ll gather all the information and make the best choice based on what makes sense for our team.”
He added that retaining the current goaltending group is still on the table: “If we believe sticking with this tandem is best, that’s an option we’ll consider.”
Skinner has one year remaining on his contract at $2.6 million, while Pickard is also signed for one more year at $1 million.
Allen Headlines Thin Free Agent Goalie Market
With no clear-cut No. 1 goaltender available this summer, teams are likely to look for solid tandem options. According to DailyFaceoff, Jake Allen is the top goaltender available and ranks 12th overall among all free agents.
Although Allen has mostly played as a backup in recent years, he was once a regular starter — including a 61-game season in 2016–17 and four consecutive campaigns with 41 or more starts between 2016 and 2019.
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