NHL insider floats blockbuster trade sending $61,920,000 star to Oilers as Stuart Skinner's future hangs in the balance

NHL: Edmonton Oilers at Dallas Stars - Source: Imagn
NHL insider floats blockbuster trade sending $61,920,000 star to Oilers as Stuart Skinner's future hangs in the balance - Source: Imagn

The Edmonton Oilers are 6-5-4 this season and sit fourth in the Pacific Division. It is not the start they wanted after two straight Stanley Cup Finals. The team has been inconsistent with fewer wins and more losses. Their offense averages 3.07 goals per game, matching their goals against.

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Captain Connor McDavid signed a team-friendly deal to help the management strengthen its roster, and the team is hard-pressed to make changes to improve. McDavid's average annual value is just $12.5 million, the same as his previous deal. He has registered 21 points so far, but the team is clearly facing consistency issues. And one reason behind it has long been considered to be its goaltending.

NHL insider Jeff Marek discussed Edmonton's goaltending situation on Oilers Nation. He suggested that Edmonton should consider trading for Nashville Predators goalie Juuse Saros.

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"I know the contract is lengthy and it's not small, but if you're not talking about looking at Juuse Saros, then what are we doing here?" Marek said.
"If I'm the Edmonton Oilers... whether it's this year or next year with all the cap savings, that's where I'd be looking..."

Marek said Edmonton should not worry about Saros' $61.92 million contract. The contract has started this season and will end in 2033, and could give the Oilers long-term stability in net.

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"And don't even worry about the contract, like you're not in a place right now, where you got to worry about, like, 'Oh, what's that going to look like in 40,' No, don't even consider that whatsoever," Marek said.
"You just need to think about the next game... and the next round of playoffs. If you're the Edmonton Oilers. That's the guy that I'd be looking at if I'm Edmonton."
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Current starter Stuart Skinner has had an average start this year. He made 24 saves in a 4-3 shootout loss to the Dallas Stars on Tuesday. Skinner has a 4-3-3 record with a 2.54 goals-against average and a .899 save percentage. He is in the last year of his three-year, $7.8 million contract and will become an unrestricted free agent after the 2025-26 season.

The Oilers need more consistency in goal to stay in the playoff race. Skinner’s future remains uncertain as trade talk continues. Adding a proven goalie like Saros could bring stability to their lineup. Edmonton must decide soon whether to make a move or stay patient.

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Nashville could trade Juuse Saros to the Oilers amid struggles

Jeff Marek believes Jusse Saros, 30, could help the Oilers stay competitive this season. He added that Nashville, who have a 5-7-4 record this season, might consider a rebuild, making Saros available for trade.

"You can expect players to go along with one rebuild," Marek said, about Saros' situation in Nashville. "I think that's fair. But considering how short careers are, you can't ask a player to go through two rebuilds.
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"And if this is what Nashville is going to go, I would expect that [GM] Barry Trotz would have that conversation with Juuse Saros, like ...We need to go a different direction here. We love you, but we can't ask you to do this again."

Saros has been solid for the Predators with a 5-5-3 record this season. He holds a 2.88 goals-against average and a .902 save percentage. His best games have kept Nashville competitive despite limited scoring help. Drafted in 2013, he has played 10 full seasons and one game in the 2015-16 season.

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Edited by Ankit Kumar
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