Unexpected Connor Ingram Pivot Was Not in Oilers Original Plans

There’s a growing sense that Connor Ingram may be more than just “insurance” for the Edmonton Oilers. Brought in as a backup to the backup, Ingram is suddenly the starter for the Oilers following an unexpected trade and injury that left the team scrambling before it was arguably ready.

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With two back-to-back wins, he’s been given the net with head coach Kris Knoblauch noting he wanted to see Ingram build a bit of momentum heading into the holiday break. The Oilers will play Calgary on Saturday, and while Calvin Pickard is likely to get the start, that’s not a certainty, given the team’s well-rested status.

No one would argue if Ingram were in again. Watching him play, there’s a calm to his game that immediately stands out. He’s composed in the crease, tracks pucks cleanly, and doesn’t waste movement. Nothing looks rushed or erratic. That’s not a shot at Stuart Skinner or Calvin Pickard — they’ve had their moments — but with Ingram, everything feels quieter and more controlled. He plays like an NHL veteran, and through two appearances so far, the early returns have been encouraging. A .920 save percentage is a small sample, but it’s a strong start.

That timing matters, because the Oilers suddenly need answers.

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Where Does That Leave Tristan Jarry?

No one is suggesting that Ingram gets the priority placement over Edmonton’s newest goaltender. It seems clear that the Oilers made a bet on Tristan Jarry, and they’re prepared to go all-in. However, after Jarry exited Thursday’s game against Boston with a lower-body injury and was placed on injured reserve, Edmonton recalled Ingram from Bakersfield. The timing wasn’t planned; it was necessary.

Jarry went back to Edmonton for evaluation and was deemed as out for at least two weeks. The news raised concerns that he will miss more time than that, or that this is a netminder whose injuries will be an ongoing issue. If Ingram can step in and show that he’s capable of giving the team quality starts, there’s no reason for the Oilers not to ride whatever hot streak or momentum he can provide.

The recall was logical. Edmonton didn’t acquire Ingram to stash him away. While his AHL numbers weren’t awe-inspiring, he feels his game is better suited for the NHL. He might be right, and if true, that’s good news for the Oilers. Meanwhile, if Jarry is sidelined for any length of time, the Oilers need to know just how far they can push Ingram without overloading him.

Circumstances in Edmonton Have Changed… And Keep Changing

What’s notable is how quickly circumstances have changed, and how many rumors continue to surround the Oilers and their goaltending. When the Oilers acquired Ingram in a trade with Utah, GM Stan Bowman and head coach Kris Knoblauch framed him as depth — an insurance policy. “If we need to call upon him, he can do that,” Knoblauch said at the time. The plan was to send him to Bakersfield and ease him in.

Suddenly, that’s not an option. That is, unless they bring in someone like Marc-Andre Fleury. Even if that happens, Fleury is a question mark. He’s got the kind of resume that suggests he can be a game-changer, but he’s also older, potentially coming out of retirement, and he’s not really been an NHL starter for some time. Even if the Oilers bring him in, they have to know what Ingram is.. or better yet, what he isn’t.

Bowman called the move low-risk, but he’s finding out that Ingram might also be a high-reward additon. “When he’s playing well and he’s on top of his game, he can be a really good goaltender,” he said. So far, so good.

The Oilers might be about to find out just how much more he has to offer.

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