NHL Insider Urges Oilers to Swing Blockbuster Trade for Metropolitan Division's Star Goalie

The Edmonton Oilers are banking on another deep playoff run next season, but the goaltending questions remain.

With Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard scheduled to share time in the net, questions remain about whether or not the two are sufficient to make the Oilers a legitimate Stanley Cup contender.

Seeded by superstars Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid, Edmonton's offense is as good as it gets. But with limited cap room and uncertain goaltending, bolstering the roster proves difficult.

That has not hindered speculation from circulating around a potential trade gamble.

Longtime insider Mark Spector recently proposed on 'The Jason Gregor Show' that the Oilers should consider bringing in star New York Islanders goalie Ilya Sorokin, a move that would radically redefine Edmonton's goaltending situation.

Ilya Sorokin, 29, is under contract until 2031 for $8.5 million in cap hit. He played 61 games last season with a 30-24-6 record, 2.71 goals-against average, .907 save percentage, and four shutouts. He's regarded as one of the league's top goalies.

In contrast, Stuart Skinner went 2.81 GAA and .896 SV% in 51 appearances last year, and struggled through the playoffs with a 2.99 GAA and .889 SV% in 15 starts.

Though he's been encouraging, inconsistency has called into question whether or not Edmonton can bring home the Cup with him in the net.

Picking up Sorokin would be a gigantic cap overhaul, likely at the cost of Skinner and quality pieces. The Islanders, on the other hand, have not indicated that they are willing to deal him.

An attractive idea, maybe, but an equally obvious one: Edmonton needs to win now by making a splash for a tried-and-true No. 1 netminder.

For now, it's only speculation, but if Edmonton does limp out of the gate, it could gain some serious momentum.