Insider Squashes Trade Request Rumor and Report Oilers Lateral Move

In the latest 32 Thoughts, Elliotte Friedman hinted that the Edmonton Oilers were reaching a breaking point. He said that in a podcast that the Oilers might have to ask, “Is it just best for everyone to move on?” On Saturday night, Friedman got the answer to his question and updated his theory.

Sans a 4-0 shutout against Seattle on Saturday afternoon, the noise around the Oilers’ crease hasn’t quieted in recent weeks. But the organization’s stance remains firm: they’re not rushing into a goaltending trade just for the sake of making one.

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Friedman Was Off Base, and No Skinner Trade Request

Friedman reported Saturday night during a Headlines segment that the Oilers will only make a move if it’s a true upgrade — not a lateral swap.

So too, Friedman verified, “Skinner has not asked out — that did not happen,” “I think a couple people wondered if that happened this week, it did not happen.”

Friedman explained:

“And what I can tell is that Edmonton’s position has not changed at all. They are not going to do it just to do it. They are not going to do what they believe is a lateral move. They would rather make no move than what they think would be a bad move or a panic move or a move just to do it.”

Names like Tristan Jarry, Jordan Binnington, and Laurent Brossoit have all been floated as possibilities, but if Edmonton is going to make a move like that, they have to believe one of those options is a clear upgrade over Skinner. To this point, they don’t believe that to be the case. Edmonton wants stability, consistency, and a track record of winning. They don’t want to ship assets out and juggle the salary cap, all to wind up with a goalie who brings the same questions they already have.

The Oilers Will Keep an Eye on the Goalie Market

GM Stan Bowman may keep an eye on options, and he has talked to many of them. “The Oilers have made enough calls, and teams call you when you’re going through a bad week,” he said. “You know the teams out there that kind of have extra goalies or goalies that are willing to move, like Columbus, Buffalo, Pittsburgh.

At the end of the day, Edmonton refuses to make a “panic move,” especially with the holidays, the Olympics, and the trade deadline all approaching quickly.

Next: Does Baseless Trade Rumor with Penguins Reveal Type of Deal Oilers Eyeing?