Oilers Shake Up Roster with Bold Trades Amid Injury Troubles

Edmonton Oilers Make Strategic Moves to Boost Roster

The Edmonton Oilers took decisive action on Friday morning as they seek to rejuvenate their roster amid a slow start and a wave of injuries. In a bold move, the Oilers announced the acquisition of goaltender Tristan Jarry and forward Samuel Poulin from the Pittsburgh Penguins, parting ways with goalie Stuart Skinner, defenseman Brett Kulak, and a second-round pick in the 2029 draft.

In a separate transaction, the Oilers also secured Spencer Stastney from the Nashville Predators for a third-round draft pick in 2027. Notably, reports from Pierre LeBrun of TSN and The Athletic confirmed that neither team involved retained any salary in the trades.

Injury Woes Spark Trades

This flurry of activity follows the Oilers' announcement on Thursday that Connor Clattenburg and Jack Roslovic have been placed on injured reserve, while Jake Walman moves to long-term injured reserve. The trades come as the team struggles with injuries and looks to bolster its performance.

One of the most significant aspects of the deal is the Oilers exchanging Stuart Skinner, who has served as their No. 1 goaltender for the past four seasons. This season, however, Skinner has faced challenges, recording a career-worst 2.83 goals against average and a lowly 89.1 save percentage over 23 appearances. In contrast, Tristan Jarry brings a slightly better average with 2.66 goals against and a 90.9 save percentage in 14 games for the Penguins. Additionally, his contract runs through the 2027-28 season, providing the Oilers with long-term stability.

Samuel Poulin, a former first-round pick at just 24 years old, represents an intriguing opportunity for the Oilers. Although he has yet to find his footing in the NHL, he now has the chance to make an impact.

Pittsburgh's willingness to trade Jarry is linked to the emergence of Arturs Silovs, a promising goaltender poised to take on a larger role. The Penguins also benefit from securing a future second-round pick, adding to their long-term strategy as the era of legends Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin approaches its twilight.

Current Standings and Future Outlook

Stastney's addition is expected to help fill the void left by Walman's injury. This season, Stastney has contributed nine points and notched 25 blocks in 30 games with the Predators. The Oilers find themselves in a precarious position, holding the No. 1 wild card spot in the Western Conference with 34 points but sitting fourth in the competitive Pacific Division.

Despite a track record of four consecutive seasons with over 100 points and two back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals appearances, the Oilers are grappling with defensive issues, sitting seventh in the league for goals allowed per game at 3.39. As they aim to turn their fortunes around, these trades could provide the necessary spark to ignite their season.