Edmonton has tried just about everything in net. Maybe it’s time to stop looking for the next answer and actually acquire one.
Let’s be honest.
We’ve had this conversation about the Edmonton Oilers’ goaltending for what feels like forever.
And after another playoff disappointment last season, Edmonton decided to take a different approach.
Instead of putting all its chips behind one goalie, the Oilers built a three-goalie situation featuring Tristan Jarry, Devon Levi and Frederik Andersen.
On paper, it makes sense.
In reality?
I’m not convinced it’s enough.
And if the Oilers are serious about winning the Stanley Cup with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, I don’t think they can afford to simply hope the answer emerges.
Jarry Has Something to Prove
Tristan Jarry came to Edmonton last December with the potential to stabilize the position.
It didn’t happen.
Jarry went 9-6-2 with a 3.86 goals-against average and an .858 save percentage in 19 games with Edmonton last season. He eventually lost the No. 1 job to Connor Ingram and started only one playoff game against Anaheim.
That doesn’t mean Jarry can’t rebound.
But it does mean the Oilers can’t assume he will.
And that’s the problem.
When you’re trying to maximize the final years of McDavid and Draisaitl’s prime, “maybe” isn’t good enough.
Then There’s Devon Levi
Levi might actually be the most intriguing goalie on the roster.
He’s only 24 and was acquired from Buffalo specifically because Edmonton believes there could still be a legitimate NHL starter hiding in there.
And he’s already given the Oilers something to think about.
After allowing seven goals in a wild 9-7 win in Vancouver, Levi responded with a 19-save performance in a 3-1 win over Seattle and another win Wednesday night over the Ducks.
That’s exactly what the Oilers needed to see.
Maybe Levi is the answer.
But here’s the catch:
“Maybe” isn’t something you want to bet a Stanley Cup on.
Levi entered this season with only 39 NHL games under his belt and had an .894 career save percentage. He also spent the majority of the previous two seasons in the AHL.
The talent is there.
The potential is there.
The certainty isn’t.
And Then There’s Frederik Andersen
This is where the entire equation could change.
Andersen won the Stanley Cup with Carolina last season and was spectacular during the playoffs, going 13-2 with a 1.89 goals-against average and .910 save percentage.
That’s not just good.
That’s championship-level goaltending.
But Andersen is currently injured, meaning Jarry and Levi are carrying the load while Edmonton waits for its veteran addition to return.
If Andersen returns healthy and plays like he did during Carolina’s championship run, suddenly the Oilers have options.
If he doesn’t?
We’re right back to the same question.
So What Would I Do?
I wouldn’t make a trade today.
And that might surprise some people.
I’d give Jarry and Levi a legitimate opportunity while waiting for Andersen.
But I would also have Stan Bowman making phone calls.
Lots of them.
Because Edmonton needs to know exactly what is available before the trade deadline.
And if one of the elite goaltenders becomes available?
You make the move.
Connor Hellebuyck: The Home-Run Swing
If Connor Hellebuyck is genuinely available, Edmonton should be calling.
Period.
Hellebuyck is the type of goalie who changes how you look at an entire roster.
Instead of asking:
“Can our goalie steal a game?”
You’re asking:
“How many games can our goalie steal?”
That’s a completely different situation.
The contract is obviously a major factor, and Edmonton can’t simply throw away the rest of its roster to acquire him.
But if Bowman can find a way to make the money work without gutting the team?
Do it.
McDavid.
Draisaitl.
Hellebuyck.
That’s the type of core you go all-in with.
Jordan Binnington Is a Different Conversation
Binnington is also an intriguing possibility, but I’d be more cautious.
He’s already proven he can win when the pressure is at its highest, having backstopped St. Louis to the Stanley Cup.
But his recent numbers weren’t nearly as convincing, and the Blues appear to be moving toward Joel Hofer as their long-term option.
That could make Binnington available.
And if the price is significantly lower than the cost of acquiring Hellebuyck, Edmonton should absolutely investigate.
But I wouldn’t pay a premium for the name.
I’d pay for the performance.
Here’s the Biggest Problem With Standing Pat
Edmonton has already tried standing pat.
They’ve tried developing young goalies.
They’ve tried veteran goalies.
They’ve tried goalie tandems.
They’ve tried changing coaches.
They’ve tried changing systems.
They’ve tried basically everything.
And yet, when the Oilers needed a goalie to steal a playoff series, the position has remained a question mark.
At some point, you have to stop asking:
“Who can be good enough?”
And start asking:
“Who gives us the best chance to win the Stanley Cup?”
Those aren’t the same question.
My Deadline Plan
If I’m Stan Bowman, here’s my plan:
October–November: Give Jarry and Levi meaningful starts. Don’t panic.
December: Get Andersen back and see what the three-goalie situation actually looks like.
January: Identify the top goaltenders who could realistically become available.
February: Decide whether Edmonton has a legitimate Stanley Cup-caliber No. 1.
Trade deadline: If the answer is no, go get one.
And if Hellebuyck is available?
You don’t sit around waiting for another option.
You make the call.
The Bottom Line
The Oilers have Connor McDavid.
They have Leon Draisaitl.
They have Evan Bouchard.
They have an offense capable of overwhelming teams.
They’ve already proven they can reach the Stanley Cup Final.
The window is open.
The question is how long it stays open.
I’m perfectly comfortable giving Jarry, Levi and Andersen a chance to prove they can be the answer.
But Edmonton cannot allow another playoff run to become an experiment in net.
If one of those three takes the job and runs with it?
Fantastic.
Don’t touch it.
But if Edmonton reaches January and we’re still debating who the No. 1 goalie is?
Enough is enough.
Go get the guy.
And if Connor Hellebuyck is the guy?
Stan Bowman should be willing to push the chips into the middle of the table.
Because eventually, the Oilers have to stop trying to find a goalie who can maybe win them a Stanley Cup.
They need to find the goalie who can.