Major shakeup in Edmonton! The Oilers are making some bold moves, trading key players in a bid to bolster their roster. Let's dive into the details of these surprising trades.
On Friday, the Edmonton Oilers announced a significant trade with the Pittsburgh Penguins. The deal sees goaltender Stuart Skinner and defenseman Brett Kulak heading to Pittsburgh. In return, the Oilers acquire goaltender Tristan Jarry and forward Samuel Poulin. As part of the transaction, Edmonton is also sending its second-round draft pick in 2029 to the Penguins.
In a separate move, the Oilers also traded their third-round draft pick in 2027 to the Nashville Predators, acquiring defenseman Spencer Stastney.
Now, let's take a closer look at the new additions. Tristan Jarry, aged 30, brings a wealth of experience to Edmonton. Interestingly, he's no stranger to the city, having played for the WHL’s Oil Kings for four seasons, including their 2014 Memorial Cup championship run. This season with the Penguins, Jarry has played in 14 games, starting 13, and boasts an impressive 9-3-1 record, a .909 save percentage, and a 2.66 goals against average (GAA).
Jarry's achievements are noteworthy. The 6'4" goaltender, a native of Surrey, B.C., is a two-time NHL all-star. During his tenure in Pittsburgh, he made a significant impact, ranking third all-time in games played, wins, and goals against average (GAA). He also holds the fourth-best save percentage and tied for second place among Penguins goaltenders in shutouts.
But here's where it gets controversial... Despite his accolades, Jarry has fewer playoff games under his belt than Skinner, with a 2-6 record in eight starts. He's currently in the third year of a five-year contract, valued at $5.375 million annually. Jarry is set to join the Oilers on Saturday in Toronto, where they'll face the Maple Leafs.
Oilers General Manager Stan Bowman expressed confidence in Jarry, stating that his consistent performance over the years was a key factor. Bowman also highlighted the importance of having a reliable goaltender under contract for the next three playoff runs.
The departure of Stuart Skinner, an Edmonton native, marks a significant shift for the Oilers. Skinner, 27, started the majority of games in two consecutive playoff runs to the Stanley Cup final, with Edmonton losing to Florida in 2024 and 2025. This season, Skinner had an 11-8-4 record with a 2.83 goals against average and a .891 save percentage. He was in the final year of a three-year contract worth US$2.6 million annually, and there had been no talks of an extension.
Bowman explained that the trade wasn't a comment on Skinner's performance but rather a potential need for a change. He emphasized that a goalie's legacy is often defined by their playoff performances.
Brett Kulak, 31, another Edmonton native, has been a consistent presence on the Oilers' defense during their recent playoff runs. He was also in the final year of his contract, which counted for $2.75 million against the salary cap. Bowman admitted that trading Kulak wasn't the initial plan but was necessary to make the trade work.
Spencer Stastney, 25, acquired from Nashville, is in the second and final year of a contract worth $825,000. He has played in 81 NHL games across four seasons with Nashville. Bowman praised Stastney's excellent mobility and potential.
Samuel Poulin, 24, a first-round draft pick by the Penguins in 2019, has spent most of the last five seasons with their AHL affiliate. He has played two games for Pittsburgh this season with no points.
And this is the part most people miss... Oilers star Connor McDavid signed a two-year contract extension in October, effectively putting the pressure on the team to make moves to win a Stanley Cup before McDavid becomes a free agent in 2028.
What do you think of these trades? Do you agree with the Oilers' strategy? Let me know your thoughts in the comments!
