Edmonton Oilers
Oilers Make Somewhat Puzzling Move with Goalie Connor Ungar
The Edmonton Oilers announced on Monday that they have assigned goaltender Connor Ungar back to the Orlando Solar Bears of the ECHL. Why?
The Edmonton Oilers announced on Monday that they have assigned goaltender Connor Ungar back to the Orlando Solar Bears of the ECHL.
In an announcement, the team writes, “The Orlando Solar Bears, ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League’s Tampa Bay Lightning, announced today the Edmonton Oilers of the NHL have reassigned goaltender Connor Ungar from the Bakersfield Condors of the American Hockey League (AHL) to the Orlando Solar Bears of the ECHL.”
Ungar, 24, has appeared in 12 games this season with the Orlando Solar Bears, Fort Wayne Komets and Greensboro Gargoyles, posting a 5-1-4 record with a 1.54 Goals Against Average and .944 save percentage.
Why Are the Oilers Making This Move with Ungar?
The Oilers’ decision to send Ungar back to Orlando is rooted in roster balance, particularly with three goalies and Calvin Pickard now down in the AHL and with the Bakersfield Condors.
The Oilers entered the Olympic break with Tristan Jarry (acquired in a December 2025 trade from Pittsburgh, now the clear starter with a .905 SV% in 21 games), Connor Ingram (solid tandem partner at .897 SV% in 13 games), and Pickard (who had played 16 NHL games but struggled with a .870 SV%).
Coming out of the Olympic break, Edmonton streamlined its NHL crease by placing Pickard on waivers, keeping Jarry and Ingram as the NHL tandem. Pickard cleared waivers and was assigned, where he joined AHL regular Matt Tomkins—creating a three-goalie logjam that limited opportunities for Ungar.
As a waiver-exempt rookie in his first pro season, Ungar needs consistent starts, and he wasn’t going to get them in the AHL.
By returning him to Orlando, the Oilers ensure he can play heavy minutes, face high shot volumes, and continue refining his game. The Oilers are aware they still have something special with this player, but they’re also aware there’s no rush to make a spot for him.
With the March 6 trade deadline approaching, it’s not clear what Edmonton’s goalie situation will look like. It’s possible a spot clears up. Maybe it doesn’t. Time will tell.
What is clear is that Jarry and Ingram are the go-to guys at the NHL level, with Tomkins and Pickard the AHL tandem.
Ungar isn’t trade bait here; he’s a key part of the future pipeline, especially with Jarry (UFA after 2027-28) and Ingram (UFA after this season) not locked in long-term.
Next: Former GM Suggests the Oilers Pursue a Multi-Player Trade with Blackhawks
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