After another heartbreaking defeat in the Stanley Cup Final, the Edmonton Oilers find themselves at a crossroads, with their goaltending situation once again under the microscope.

Fans and analysts alike are left wondering how much longer the team can rely on the current duo of Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard, especially after both netminders struggled in crucial moments during Edmonton’s second consecutive run to hockey’s biggest stage.

The pressure is mounting for Oilers GM Stan Bowman to make a bold move and upgrade the team’s last line of defense, but whispers from inside the organization suggest a surprising twist could be on the horizon.

Instead of pursuing a blockbuster trade for a proven star, the Oilers may be preparing to double down on Skinner, with rumors swirling about a massive contract extension that could reshape not only the team’s future but the entire goaltending market.

Analyst Zach Laing has hinted at numbers that would shock even the most optimistic Skinner supporters, raising eyebrows across the NHL.

As speculation grows and the Oilers weigh their options, one question looms large: will Edmonton take the risk and commit long-term to Skinner, or will they finally make the dramatic change fans have been demanding? The answer may be closer than anyone expects.

Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner makes a save

Photo credit: TSN

The Edmonton Oilers badly need to upgrade their goaltending, but analyst Zach Laing of Oilers Nation suggests a massive extension from the Oilers for Stuart Skinner could be in the works.

The Edmonton Oilers continue to deal with the disappointment of having now lost in the SCF twice in a row to the Florida Panthers, and their goaltending duo of Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard once again came under heavy scrutiny.

The Oilers used both Skinner and Pickard during their 2nd straight run to the Final, and while both goalies had moments of strength in the playoffs, both of them would falter when it mattered most.

Skinner is entering the last year of his current deal, and while Oilers GM Stan Bowman is being urged to make an upgrade to his team’s goaltending, there could be a contract extension coming Skinner’s way.

Analyst Zach Laing of Oilers Nation believes that, using the Evolving Hockey model, Skinner could get an AAV (average annual value) as high as nearly $7 million on his next contract.

So what would a realistic contract extension look like for Skinner? According to Evolving Hockey, there’s a wide range of outcomes. The predicted, or most likely deal is a five-year extension carrying a $6.817-million cap hit – something Evolving Hockey projects to have a 22 percent chance of happening.

Per the model, there is a 20% chance of a 2 year extension with an AAV of $5,166,000.

The Oilers have yet to make a serious goaltending upgrade

Despite the Oilers having been linked to various names, including John Gibson and Tristan Jarry, Oilers GM Stan Bowman has yet to make such a move.

All indications point toward the Oilers entering the new season with the duo of Skinner and Pickard intact, which will worry Edmonton fans about the long-term future of superstar captain Connor McDavid with the team.