After coming within a single goal of ending their 35-year Stanley Cup drought, the Edmonton Oilers find themselves at a pivotal crossroads. A hard-fought Game 7 loss to the Florida Panthers in last year’s final was a bitter pill to swallow. Now, with another deep playoff run in motion and elimination of the Kings within reach, Edmonton is once again flirting with contention — but internal voices suggest it may be time for a major shake-up, particularly between the pipes.
According to longtime Oilers insider Allan Mitchell of The Athletic, this current iteration of the Oilers roster may have already peaked. Should Edmonton fall short again — whether in the current series or deeper in the postseason — management is expected to make bold changes, even if it means parting with some of their most promising homegrown talent.
At the heart of these whispers is the team’s goaltending. Stuart Skinner has shouldered the load for most of the season, appearing in 51 games and anchoring a team that tallied 48 wins and 101 points. But his inconsistencies remain a concern, with a goals-against average of 6.11 placing him among the NHL’s lower tier of starting goaltenders.
That’s why Mitchell envisions a potentially seismic goalie swap — one that could see Skinner and other assets shipped out in favor of a proven netminder. At the top of the Oilers’ wishlist? Boston Bruins star Jeremy Swayman.
Despite a down year statistically — with career-worst marks in both goals allowed (176) and GAA (3.11) — Swayman remains a top-tier talent. At just 26, the former Jennings Trophy winner has the pedigree and playoff experience to backstop a contending team. And after signing an eight-year, $66 million deal before the 2024-25 season, his long-term future may lie outside of Boston, especially as the Bruins dive headfirst into a rebuild.
Boston’s roster turnover this year has been dramatic. Veterans Charlie Coyle, Brad Marchand, and Brandon Carlo were all moved at the deadline, part of a sweeping organizational reset that left Swayman exposed behind an inexperienced defense.
To acquire him, the Oilers would need to offer more than just Skinner. Mitchell points to defenseman Evan Bouchard — a 2017 first-round pick who has developed into one of the league’s most dynamic offensive blueliners — as a potential trade chip. With his prime years aligning with Edmonton’s current core, parting with Bouchard would be a bold but calculated gamble to solve the goaltending question once and for all.
The stakes are clear: if the Oilers want to turn Stanley Cup dreams into reality, they may have to reimagine their foundation. And if Mitchell is right, that process could begin with the kind of high-profile, high-dollar move that reshapes a franchise — and its championship trajectory.
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