Are the Edmonton Oilers actually trading for a goalie? We analyze the rumors (Saros, Cossa) & reveal the hard truth about GM Stan Bowman’s options.
The calls are getting louder in Edmonton. Every soft goal let in by Stuart Skinner, every shaky start from Calvin Pickard, the pressure mounts on general manager Stan Bowman to do something. The Edmonton Oilers are struggling, and the fingers are pointing directly at the crease. But as an analyst who’s watched these sagas unfold for years, I have to tell you: the fantasy trades you’re hearing about are just that—fantasy.
The article from Allan Mitchell at The Athletic floats some big names, but let’s be blunt: they’re non-starters.
Separating Fantasy Trades from Market Reality
Let’s start with the big fish: Juuse Saros. The idea of shipping out 2027 first-round pick, Matthew Savoie, Adam Henrique, Stuart Skinner, and getting Nashville to retain salary on Saros’s $7.74 million AAV—which the article notes has seven years remaining—is pure pipe-dream territory. Why? First, the Predators aren’t in a fire-sale rebuild. Second, Saros holds a full no-movement clause. Why would he waive that to jump onto a struggling, high-pressure Canadian team? It’s not happening. The market for true, needle-moving goalies is virtually non-existent right now.
What about a “smaller” move? Mitchell suggests Sebastian Cossa from Detroit. This is another one to file under “unlikely.” Cossa is Detroit’s goalie of the future. The Red Wings are not going to trade a prospect they’ve invested that much in just to solve Edmonton’s backup problem. It’s organizational malpractice.
What About a Wild Card Like Fleury?
And Marc-Andre Fleury? Please. The man is retired. He had his emotional farewell with the Penguins in the preseason. He’s not coming back mid-season to strap the pads on for a team in turmoil. We have to let that one go.
Here’s the hard truth: There isn’t a goalie market. This is the core of the issue. It’s not that Bowman missed an opportunity on Gibson or Wedgewood this summer (though that’s debatable); it’s that there is no clear, available upgrade right now that doesn’t cost an astronomical price like Matthew Savoie and a 2027 first-rounder.
Skinner’s time as the unchallenged number one is over; his inconsistency proves that. But the solution isn’t on the trade block. It’s either going to have to come from within, or the Oilers will have to grossly overpay for a sideways move. Right now, Bowman is stuck, and so are the Edmonton Oilers.
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