Edmonton Oilers
Oilers GM Finally Addresses Roster Plans — and the Goalie Situation
Stan Bowman finally breaks his silence on the Oilers’ roster plans, addressing Edmonton’s goaltending issues and other problems.
It’s never quiet in Edmonton when goaltending comes up, and this week was no exception. With fans restless and concerns growing about Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard, Oilers GM Stan Bowman finally addressed the elephant in the room — and offered a little insight into his broader roster plans.
Speaking after the NHL’s November GM meetings in Toronto, Bowman didn’t dodge the question. He admitted the crease hasn’t been great, but he wasn’t about to single anyone out either.
“Our goalies have been average — haven’t been elite and they haven’t been bad. Sort of the way our team has been,” Bowman told reporters.
He knows the narrative: a .883 save percentage, an early-season roller-coaster record, and fans calling for a trade. But Bowman made it clear he sees a bigger issue than goaltending alone.
“We’ve had ups and downs with both goalies, the defence and the forwards,” he said. “It would probably be clearer if it was costing us games night after night, but that’s just not it.”
Bowman’s Message: Patience, Not Panic
For now, the GM seems intent on staying patient. Edmonton’s 7-6-4 record isn’t good, but it’s not a crisis either — and Bowman noted that the team’s problem is consistency, not personnel.
“Usually we get on a run where you win six, seven, eight in a row … we haven’t been able to get going. It’s win one, lose one, overtime loss, overtime win.”
No Trades Are Imminent for the Oilers
That statement says it all: no trades are imminent, no major roster surgery is coming yet. Bowman’s betting the current group — minus injured winger Zach Hyman — can stabilize before he starts shopping.
Still, patience only lasts so long in Edmonton. If Skinner (or the goaltending in general) doesn’t bounce back soon, Bowman’s calm tone could shift quickly. There’s been talk about Juuse Saros, but there are mixed reports about whether he’s a real option and how much interest the Oilers have, if any.
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