November 11, 2025 | 5:40pm ET
TheFourthPeriod.com

OILERS GM SAYS TEAM NOT CLICKING, GOALIES “BEEN AVERAGE”

Stuart Skinner, goalie

The Edmonton Oilers clawed their way to a 5-4 overtime victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets Monday night, rebounding after an embarrassing 9-1 loss to the Colorado Avalanche on home ice Saturday.

Flirting with .500 hockey, the Oilers currently post a 7-6-4 record and are on the outside of the playoff picture, even though they are tied in points with those above them in the standings.

Much has been made about the goaltending struggles in Edmonton so far this season, as the club ranks 28th in the NHL in goals-against per game with 3.47. Conversely, they are only 18th in the NHL in goals-for per game with 3.06.

With speculation – driven mostly by a frustrated fan base – suggesting the Oilers need a change between the pipes, Oilers GM Stan Bowman believes the team’s problems are not exclusive to Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard’s issues in the crease.

“Our goalies have been average – haven’t been elite and they haven’t been bad,” Bowman told The Canadian Press. “Sort of the way our team has been. I don’t know if they performed really any differently than our forwards and our defence. We’re just not clicking as a group.”

Bowman admitted “that position gets more attention” primarily due to ongoing rumours that a change is needed, coupled with reports that management has explored outside options over the last few seasons.

The Oilers are believed to be exploring the trade market as a whole, both weighing the options as they relate to shedding some salary and adding more firepower to the lineup. But it does not sound like any substantial, or impactful, changes are on the immediate horizon.

“Unfortunately, it takes time to sort through that and have everyone find their roles,” Bowman said. “But we’re not connected the way we probably should be after 17 games.”

Bowman called out his defensive corps and forwards group while speaking to The CP, but refused to single out a specific facet of the club.

If the Oilers cannot put together a solid stretch of wins in the near future, the club may become more eager to make changes to put them back in good standing.