Oilers Struggles: Goaltending vs. Deeper Issues

The Edmonton Oilers' Rocky Start: More Than Meets the Eye

After a deep Stanley Cup Finals run, the Edmonton Oilers are off to a disappointing start this season, sitting at a mediocre 6-5-4 record and fourth in the Pacific Division. Despite boasting elite talent like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, the team's inconsistent performance has sparked intense debate among fans and analysts. While goaltending has taken center stage in criticism, a closer look reveals more systemic issues at play.

The Goaltending Controversy: Skinner Under Fire

Stuart Skinner's performance has been a focal point of scrutiny. Through 10 starts, he's posted a 2.54 goals-against average (GAA) and an .899 save percentage (SV%), sparking calls for a significant upgrade. NHL insider Jeff Marek recently suggested the Oilers should aggressively pursue Nashville Predators' All-Star goalie Juuse Saros, who's in the first year of an eight-year, $61.92 million contract.

"If you're not talking about looking at Juuse Saros, then what are we doing here? You can't ask a player to go through two rebuilds."
— NHL Insider Jeff Marek on Oilers Podcast

The Saros speculation intensifies as Nashville struggles near the bottom of the Central Division. However, major hurdles exist: Saros holds a full no-movement clause, and his cap hit would be a massive commitment for cap-strapped Edmonton.

Beneath the Surface: The Real Troubles

While Skinner's numbers aren't elite, they're far from being the team's primary weakness. Analysis from The Hockey Writers reveals that Edmonton's deeper issues lie in even-strength offense and defensive discipline.

The Oilers have plummeted from top-tier to bottom-tier in key offensive metrics:

• 29th in the league in expected goals per 60 minutes
• 27th in scoring chances per 60 minutes
• 31st in high-danger chances per 60 minutes

Contrast this with last season's top-five rankings in these categories, and the regression becomes alarming. The team relies heavily on their power play (currently ranked #1) to generate offense, while their 5-on-5 play has become predictable and perimeter-focused. They're failing to create traffic in front of the net and lack puck movement that creates high-danger opportunities.

The Turnover Problem

Even more concerning is Edmonton's tendency for costly turnovers. These defensive lapses have directly led to high-danger chances against, as evidenced by their recent 11-3 disadvantage in high-danger chances against the Dallas Stars. While Skinner has made some critical saves to preserve leads, the team can't consistently bail out these mistakes.

"They don't allow many shots—the third fewest in the league—but the opportunities they allow are usually high-quality and off turnovers," notes The Hockey Writers analysis. "Once they eliminate these big mistakes, the goalies' numbers should improve."

Looking Ahead: Trade Deadline Decisions

As the trade deadline approaches, Oilers management faces critical decisions. While a Saros acquisition could provide stability, the evidence suggests the team needs structural fixes first. Improving puck management, enhancing even-strength creativity, and reducing defensive breakdowns should be priorities before committing significant resources to a new goalie.

The upcoming matchup against the Colorado Avalanche on November 8th will be a crucial test. Can the Oilers rediscover their dominant 5-on-5 play? Or will they continue to rely on special teams and individual brilliance to overcome systemic flaws?

For a team with Stanley Cup aspirations, the path forward requires addressing the roots of their struggles—not just treating the symptoms.