Photo: Dilip Vishwanat-AP
Goaltending has once again become a concern in Edmonton. Even with a few strong games, Stuart Skinner hasn’t played consistently enough to ease worries. Calvin Pickard hasn’t helped much either, and with the team hoping for another deep playoff run, patience is running out.
That’s why Nick Kypreos’ recent report linking the Oilers to Jordan Binnington got attention. He says Edmonton and St. Louis have at least looked into a deal that would likely send Skinner to the Blues to team up with Joel Hofer.
Nick Kypreos: The strongest speculation ties Jordan Binnington to Edmonton; the Oilers are also seeing if they can get a defenceman out of St. Louis at the same time. That potential deal would most likely be built around Stuart Skinner going back to St. Louis – Sportsnet (11/25)
— NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) November 25, 2025
Cap Space Problem
On paper, it makes sense. Binnington’s $6 million cap hit runs through 2026–27—more than double Skinner’s—and there’s a growing belief he may not fit with whatever direction St. Louis chooses next. The Oilers have also poked around on a Blues defenseman, with names like Justin Faulk and Colton Parayko floating around, though nothing firm has surfaced.
Statistically, Skinner has been the better goalie this season. Binnington, meanwhile, remains the league’s definition of volatile. He’ll look unbeatable one night and completely out of sync the next. But his track record in big moments is real. When the pressure spikes, he tends to rise with it, and that trait still appeals to teams desperate for stability in net.
The hang-up is the cap. Edmonton has around $2 million to work with. They can’t bring in Binnington at full salary without moving multiple contracts. Adding a defenseman on top of that makes the numbers even tighter.
Still, the idea isn’t far-fetched. For the Oilers, trading for Binnington would be a calculated gamble—a roll of the dice that a change of scenery could bring out the steadier version of him. It’s risky, but it’s the kind of swing a team in Edmonton’s position at least has to consider.
Nothing is set, and this is more speculation right now. But it’s the clearest sign yet that the Oilers and Blues are circling something big—and given Edmonton’s situation in goal, this won’t be the last time the idea comes up.
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Writer covering the St. Louis Blues | Student at the University of Missouri School of Journalism | Follow me on X for live Blues updates: @JoshDMichel