{"id":643791,"date":"2026-08-16T06:19:09","date_gmt":"2026-08-16T06:19:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/643791\/"},"modified":"2026-08-16T06:19:09","modified_gmt":"2026-08-16T06:19:09","slug":"how-the-oilers-should-handle-their-goaltending-logjam-the-hockey-writers-edmonton-oilers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/643791\/","title":{"rendered":"How the Oilers Should Handle Their Goaltending Logjam – The Hockey Writers -Edmonton Oilers"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Edmonton Oilers have a logjam between the pipes, having eight goaltenders signed by the organization. Frederik Andersen<\/a>, Tristan Jarry, Devon Levi, Matt Tomkins<\/a>, Connor Ungar, Nathaniel Day, Samuel Jonsson, and Eemil Vinni are all under contract for the 2026-27 season. Vinni was recently signed<\/a> to a one-year, two-way contract by the Bakersfield Condors of the American Hockey League (AHL), further complicating the organization\u2019s goaltending situation.<\/p>\n

Where Will the Goalies Play?<\/p>\n

Andersen, Jarry, and Levi should be the NHL\u2019s goaltending trio, but where will everyone else play? They have five goaltenders with a legitimate chance of playing AHL games, but they can\u2019t all play. Tomkins will be a lock for the AHL roster given his age and experience. Ungar should also be on the Condors\u2019 roster. At 24, he\u2019s an older prospect who needs to be challenged at the next level. <\/p>\n

The same could be said for Jonsson. He had a breakout season<\/a> for the Fort Wayne Komets of the ECHL, posting a 2.38 goals-against average (GAA) and a .910 save percentage (SV%) in 33 games last season. He\u2019s 22, and an AHL call-up should be the natural progression in his development. If Jonsson struggles to find playing time at the next level, don\u2019t be surprised if he goes back to Europe for a season.<\/p>\n

Then, there is Day, who should spend this season in the ECHL. He played 39 games for the Komets last season, posting a 2.76 GAA and an .893 SV%. He was a sixth-round pick by Edmonton in 2023, and he\u2019s still only 21 years old. Other goaltenders in the system are further along in their development, which should keep him in the ECHL.<\/p>\n

Finally, the newly-signed Vinni is a wild card. The 20-year-old was a second-round pick by Edmonton in 2024, but he hasn\u2019t stayed healthy since his name was called on draft day. He played just 21 games last season in Mestis, Finland\u2019s second-highest league. Now, he is playing in North America for the first time and should start in the ECHL. With five goalies fighting for four spots in the AHL and ECHL, one netminder may get loaned to another ECHL team, similar to Ungar last season. Ungar struggled to find playing time<\/a>, so he played for three different ECHL teams, and that might happen again. Since it\u2019s his first professional season, Finni may be the one to be loaned. The youngsters need playing time to help their development, but where will they get it?<\/p>\n

Tomkins Is Blocking the Youth<\/p>\n

The biggest question is what to do with Tomkins. He\u2019s a veteran AHL netminder, but that\u2019s his ceiling. He\u2019s 32 years old and has plateaued as a career AHLer. He\u2019s steady and reliable, which teams value. However, the organization has four goalies who require playing time and need an opportunity to climb up the ranks and gain experience at various professional levels. Tomkins\u2019 presence prohibits that.<\/p>\n

\"WinnipegSep 23, 2025; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Winnipeg Jets forward Brad Lambert (93) battles for position with Edmonton Oilers defenseman Joshua Brown (44) in front of goalie Matt Tomkins(90) during the second period at Canada Life Centre. Mandatory Credit: Terrence Lee-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

While organizational depth is important, they have too much young talent under contract. Therefore, having Tomkins in the mix isn\u2019t necessary. He\u2019s keeping an AHL roster spot hostage, which is blocking the youth from getting it. We need to see if some of these kids are ready to take the next step. Ideally, Ungar and Jonsson will be the Condors\u2019 goaltending tandem<\/a>, but that\u2019s unlikely if Tomkins is still there. Maybe it\u2019s best to keep him as the third goalie in Bakersfield, with Jonsson and Ungar getting most of the playing time. If he won\u2019t get traded, it\u2019s time to have a difficult conversation with the veteran netminder.<\/p>\n

Oilers Should Keep 3 Goalies <\/p>\n

The Oilers will start the season with three goalies in the NHL, and that should be the case all season<\/a>. With Andersen and Jarry\u2019s injury histories, keeping a third goalie is the best option. Plus, they have plenty of cap space. Also, if they send one down, that will further complicate the goaltending situation in the minors.<\/p>\n

If Jarry struggles<\/a>, he shouldn\u2019t be placed on waivers. He should stay on the roster and remain in the press box. Due to his $5.375 million cap hit, he will easily clear waivers, and the Oilers would only save $1.15 million by doing so. It makes more sense to keep him with the big club. Tomkins is already blocking the youth, and Jarry would add another veteran goaltender to their crowded minor-league goaltending pool. They already have one veteran goalie taking away starts from the youngsters, and they don\u2019t need two.<\/p>\n

How should the Oilers handle their goaltending situation, especially in the minors? Keep following The Hockey Writers<\/a> for all your NHL content throughout the offseason.<\/p>\n

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