The Edmonton Oilers were linked to adding a goalie this offseason, but that hasn’t happened yet.
However, Edmonton still could look to acquire a depth goalie to form a tandem with Stuart Skinner. Heavy.com proposed a deal that would see the Oilers acquire Laurent Brossoit from the Chicago Blackhawks.
Oilers acquire:
- Laurent Brossoit ($1.65 million retained)
- 2026 seventh-round pick
Blackhawks acquire:
- Connor Ungar
- 2028 third-round pick
The proposed deal would be an intriguing one as Edmonton would take a flier on a Brossoit, with half his salary retained, for a minor-league goalie and a third-round pick. The Oilers would also get a seventh-round pick in the deal.
The Oilers would acquire Brossoit, who’s entering the final year of his two-year, $6.6 million deal with the Blackhawks. Brossoit signed to compete for the Blackhawks’ starting job, but he dealt with injuries last season as he missed the entire year. With Chicago having Spencer Knight and Arvid Soderblom under contract, Brossoit isn’t needed and could be used as a trade chip.
With the Oilers, Brossoit would form a tandem with Skinner and be an upgrade over Pickard. It also wouldn’t cost much, so it’s a low-risk move for Edmonton looking to improve its goaltending. The year prior, he was 15-5-2 with a 2.00 GAA and a .927 SV% with the Winnipeg Jets. In his NHL career, he’s 64-46-13 with a 2.64 GAA and a .911 SV%.
Chicago, meanwhile, would get a third-round pick, which would be the key part of the deal. But, the Blackhawks would also acquire Ungar, who’s a depth goalie. He went undrafted and spent last season in the ECHL. He’d figure to be an ECHL goalie in the Blackhawks system.
Oilers Looking to Upgrade Goalie Position
By acquiring Brossoit, Edmonton wouldn’t acquire a true No. 1 goalie, but would add some depth to the position.
When healthy, Brossoit can be a starting goalie in the NHL and would be an upgrade over Pickard, which would be needed. Oilers’ general manager, Stan Bowman, also says he’s looking to upgrade at goalie.
“Well, the evaluation isn’t something you do just once or twice and then it’s over with. When I say that, it’s not just looking at the goaltending we have, but also what’s out there and options,” Bowman said. “So it’s going to be a process that we’re going to go through… Part of the evaluation is the guys that we have, and if it makes the most sense to keep this group, that’s certainly a possibility. So I don’t know. We’re not at the point where we’re saying we’re definitely bringing in new goalies.”
Edmonton has Skinner and Pickard under contract for next season. The Oilers also inked Matt Tomkins to be their third goalie and play in the AHL next season.
Analyst Urges Oilers to Acquire Brossoit
Although Brossoit missed the entire season last year due to an injury, he appears healthy and should have a trade market for him.
NHL analyst and Blackhawks insider Mark Lazerus of The Athletic believes the Oilers should look to acquire the veteran.
“Seriously, though, put it this way: If Brossoit — a very good goalie, historically — is physically able to play this season, it should be for the Edmonton Oilers, not the Chicago Blackhawks. Lord Stanley knows they need him,” Lazerus wrote.
Brossoit played for the Edmonton Oil Kings in the WHL, so he does have experience playing in Edmonton. He’s also played in 10 NHL playoff games.
Trade Pitch Has Oilers Acquiring $6.6M Goalie in Intriguing Move