NHL News: Connor McDavid expected to see key Oilers duo split next season, reports indicate

Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers are gearing up for a pivotal 2025-26 NHL season. However, reports indicate they might be in for many changes as a key duo on the roster could be broken up.

Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard have been the backbone of Edmonton’s goaltending for the past two seasons. The tandem has been under heavy scrutiny, yet it helped McDavid and the Oilers reach consecutive Stanley Cup finals. The end-result has been far from ideal, but their contributions can’t be dismissed.

As the new NHL season rises on the horizon, reports suggest the netminders’ tandem could not make it to the postseason. Instead, the Oilers could see changes to such a crucial position, in hopes of finally hoisting the Stanley Cup. Fans in Edmonton expect urgent measures to be put in place, as they’ve waited for over 30 years to conquer Lord Stanley.

“I’ll be surprised if after the trade deadline the same two goalies are in Edmonton in Pickard and Skinner,” Jason Gregor said on the Daily Faceoff Rundown. “I just think it’s inevitable there’s going to be a change there.”

Connor McDavid #97 and Stuart Skinner #74 of the Edmonton Oilers in the 2023 Tim Hortons NHL Heritage Classic at Commonwealth Stadium.

Trade deadline makes sense

While the Oilers have shown no hurry to address the goaltending situation during the offseason, that could change come the late stretch of the 2025-26 NHL season. McDavid and Edmonton are confident the team will be in playoff contention come March’s deadline. If not, the Oilers could be in a lot of trouble.

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Still, that’s taking a glass-half-empty stance. All signs indicate the Oilers should have no trouble making the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Consequently, the organization should be in prime position to bolster its lineup. In that regard, a main area of concern is the goaltending. Perhaps there will be better available options in net come March than there are right now in the NHL.

End of the road

All signs indicate one of Skinner or Pickard—both being moved can’t be ruled out either—will pack his bags. They only have one year remaining on their contracts, set to become unrestricted free agents (UFAs) next summer. Therefore, it might be the perfect chance for McDavid and the Oilers to make a much-needed change in net.

Skinner, who recently received an encouraging message amid such uncertainy in Edmonton, is inked to a three-year, $7.80 million deal, which is set to expire next summer. Pickard, on the other hand, had signed a much team-friendlier two-year, $2 million deal in the 2024 offseason.

Fans in Canada’s Oil Capital have grown anxious, and the Oilers know it. After concerning goaltending performances in critical stages of the season, many are now sick and tired of the tandem. They want answers, and Edmonton must provide them. Whether it’s this week, the next one, or in March 2026, a move is brewing to shake up the home crease at Rogers Place.