NHL Trade Talk: Connor McDavid's Oilers shift focus to Blackhawks after failed goalie trade with Canucks
in his prime and the Oilers still falling just short of Stanley Cup glory, patience is thinning fast. After the Vancouver Canucks refused to trade promising goaltender Arturs Silovs within the division, the Oilers are reportedly shifting their gaze eastward—toward Connor Bedard's Chicago Blackhawks, who may soon find themselves with one netminder too many.
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Oilers chase solutions amid goaltending concerns
It's no secret that goaltending has been Edmonton's Achilles' heel. While Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard have done enough to guide the Oilers deep into the playoffs, their inconsistency has become too loud to ignore. Edmonton hasn't lifted the Stanley Cup since 1990, and every passing year without silverware only adds to the urgency.
Now, with the Silovs door slammed shut by Vancouver—reportedly refusing to trade him 'at any price,' per Kurt Leavins of Edmonton Journal—the Oilers have resumed their search with a different target in mind.
Initially, Michael DiPietro of the Boston Bruins seemed like a potential backup option. However, recent rumblings suggest that Blackhawks General Manager Stan Bowman might be open to discussions before the season kicks off.
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'[Oilers GM] Stan Bowman will continue to look for a goaltender before the start of the season. The Blackhawks might have three healthy NHL netminders in training camp—just something to keep tabs on,' Chicago Hockey Now reported.
Chicago's crowded crease could unlock opportunity
The Blackhawks might soon face a logjam in net, especially if Arvid Soderblom remains on the roster. While he's currently filed for salary arbitration as a restricted free agent, it's widely expected that the Blackhawks, who have over $21 million in cap space, will ink him to a one-year deal. If that happens, Chicago could enter camp with Soderblom, Drew Commesso, and Spencer Knight all competing for two spots.
Of the trio, only Knight appears untouchable, having been acquired in a high-profile move.
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That leaves Soderblom and Commesso as potential candidates should Edmonton wish to bolster its depth chart. After missing out on Silovs due to inter-divisional politics, the Oilers might now find a more cooperative trade partner in Chicago.
Whether or not Edmonton can pull off a deal, one thing is clear: the clock is ticking. For a franchise this close to glory, failing to upgrade the crease might not just stall momentum—it could shatter the entire structure built around McDavid's prime.
FAQs
1. Why are the
Edmonton Oilers
targeting the Chicago Blackhawks for a goaltender?
The Oilers are exploring Chicago's goaltending surplus after Vancouver refused to trade Arturs Silovs within the division.
2. Which Blackhawks goalies could be available for trade?
Arvid Soderblom and Drew Commesso are the most likely trade options, as Spencer Knight is expected to be untouchable.
3. What's delaying the Oilers' goaltending decision?
Edmonton is still assessing trade possibilities after missing out on Silovs, with the timing of any deal still uncertain.
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