Evaluating NHL goaltending is one of the league’s biggest mysteries, and this season proves it again. Among the top ten goalies by save percentage, only three were NHL starters last season. The rest were backups who have suddenly surged.
Jesper Wallstedt, now sitting at a .935 save percentage, posted just .879 in the AHL last year. Devin Cooley jumped from a .905 AHL season to .930 in the NHL. These jumps show how unpredictable the position truly is.
That unpredictability sets the stage for the debate around Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Tristan Jarry. He ranks 8th this season with a .914 save percentage, yet many Penguins fans — still frustrated from past struggles and a demotion to the AHL — are ready to move on from him. As soon as trade rumours linked Edmonton to Jarry, sections of the fanbase exploded with excitement at the chance to offload him.
NHL analysts aren’t fully sold on him either. On TSN’s OverDrive, Jeff O’Neill questioned why the Oilers would target Jarry at all, saying he’s just as risky as Stuart Skinner. On Oilers Now, John Shannon said he doesn’t want to hear Jarry’s name in trade talks, suggesting he may even be Pittsburgh’s third-best goalie.
Instead, both pointed toward Jordan Binnington of the St. Louis Blues as the more appealing target — despite Binnington’s .881 save percentage, which ranks near the bottom of the league.
Former goalie Darren Pang added that he believes Binnington should be part of Team Canada’s 2026 Olympic roster, arguing that he performs best behind strong defensive teams.
Meanwhile, after ESPN’s Kevin Weekes reported the Oilers’ interest in Jarry, Penguins fans on social media reacted with a mix of sarcasm, relief, and celebration — with many openly hoping their team ships him out while his value is high.
The Edmonton perspective
1. Skinner might rebound elsewhere. Many Oilers fans want change, but Stuart Skinner is young enough that he could still become a strong starter — potentially in another city.
2. Jarry vs. Binnington isn’t a clear upgrade. Jarry has been better this season, but history raises concerns. Binnington has playoff pedigree, but his current numbers don’t inspire confidence. There’s no guaranteed fix.
3. Goaltending isn’t Edmonton’s only issue. Defensive play in front of the goalie has been inconsistent, and a new netminder won’t automatically fix it.
4. Binnington feels like the bigger swing. His past big-game performances fuel optimism, drawing comparisons to Edmonton’s legendary 2006 turnaround after acquiring Dwayne Roloson. It’s more narrative than data — but narratives matter in hockey.
For now, the Oilers’ goaltending dilemma remains wide open. Whether they stick with Skinner or take a risk on Jarry or Binnington, no option feels simple — and every decision carries major consequences.
