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A Surprising Goalie Has Been Linked to the Oilers After Fans Demand GM Keep His Promise


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Daniel Lucente
November 1, 2025  (10:13)
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Edmonton Oilers GM Stan Bowman looks towards a reporter
Photo credit: NHL.com

Fans on social media have been demanding that Stan Bowman keep his promise of improving the team's goaltending, which has now linked Elvis Merzlikins.

Through the first month of the season, the Edmonton Oilers' goaltending situation has become a growing concern, and the patience of fans is wearing thin.
At least one Oilers' social media account has called on the team's general manager to make good on a goalie promise made at the start of the season. The Oilers talked about adding another goaltender on July 1, but never did.
Instead, the team traded for Connor Ingram, who is currently with the AHL's Bakersfield Condors.
Meanwhile, starter Stuart Skinner ended October with a .896 save percentage and a 2.59 goals-against average, while backup Calvin Pickard has posted an .846 SV% and a 3.50 GAA.
Those numbers simply aren't good enough for a team with Stanley Cup aspirations, especially after GM Stan Bowman and CEO Jeff Jackson openly admitted during the summer that improving the goaltending was a priority.

Elvis Merzlikins would be an ideal starting goalie for the Oilers

There have been several reports linking Columbus Blue Jackets' goalie Elvis Merzlikins to the Oilers of late, so perhaps he is the goaltender Bowman could target to finally make good on that early-season promise.
"There have been several reports of late linking Columbus Bluejackets' goalie Elvis Merzlikins to the Edmonton Oilers."

- Oilers Daily
Merzlikins has shown flashes of brilliance in the past, and with the Blue Jackets facing questions about their own direction, a change of scenery might make sense for both sides.
There are plenty of other issues plaguing Edmonton: defensive lapses, inconsistent scoring, and a sluggish start from Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, but the goaltending numbers remain near the bottom of the league.
It might be that, if the Oilers want to steady the ship and silence the noise, Bowman may soon need to prove to fans the promise wasn't all talk. The clock is ticking in Edmonton.
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A Surprising Goalie Has Been Linked to the Oilers After Fans Demand GM Keep His Promise

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