Early Rumor About Oilers Goaltending Battle Not Entirely Accurate

According to Allan Mitchell of The Athletic, expect Tristan Jarry to be the starter for the Edmonton Oilers when the 2026-27 season gets underway. He writes, “Based on evidence, Jarry is the most likely candidate to win the day. He was Bowman’s first choice to fix the position, he was playing well before getting hurt, and he’s being paid like a starter.” I’m here to tell you that Mitchell, as much as he’s a respected voice in the Oilers online community, might be way off.

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His argument is twofold: that Jarry is being paid like a starter and that he played well before being injured. On the surface, those are valid points. He also argues that being Bowman’s pick as the goalie of the future will factor in. I don’t believe any of those things matter to the Edmonton Oilers this season.

The salary is the salary. Bowman made a bet, and it went sideways. That happens. What can’t happen is that the Oilers double down on that bet if they feel Jarry doesn’t have it. Right now, that’s how they feel about him as an NHL starter. He’ll have to earn that back, and it likely won’t come with the benefit of the doubt when the season begins.

Remember, this is a new head coach in Mike Babcock who is taking over. He’s going to do what he wants to do and feels is best for the team. He’s got no loyalty to Jarry whatsoever. There’s nothing here to suggest that Bowman has said Jarry is the guy, or that even if Bowman were to suggest it, Babcock would care.

What Babcock does have is history with a Stanley Cup winner in Frederik Andersen. The coach was instrumental in getting Andersen to sign a one-year deal with the Oilers this summer. Everyone knows that Andersen isn’t likely to play a lion’s share of the games. That doesn’t mean he won’t be Babcock’s go-to guy when the season starts.

The reality is, the Oilers will give Jarry a shot to find his game. However, there’s going to be a sense that a trade could happen at any moment if a team comes calling. Bowman admitted that the Jarry trade has not gone as planned. If Edmonton can move off of his deal, they will. For that reason, among others, don’t expect Jarry to be handed anything.

Devon Levi is also an important part of the Oilers’ future. Bowman traded for him, just as much as he swung on Jarry. Their situations are different in that Levi is more of a future prospect than a goalie with a track record, but Bowman believes he can be a big part of the team’s future. Expect him to get a shot to prove it.

The takeaway here is that no starter has been decided yet. It’s not Jarry because of his contract. It’s not Andersen because of his history with the new coach. It’s not Levi because of his potential. This is likely to come down to the wire and change repeatedly throughout the season.

Next: Why Matt Savoie Should Be the Oilers’ Next Core Contract