NHL trade speculation: Columnist suggests Oilers pursue \$66 million Islanders goalie in potential swap involving Stuart Skinner.

The Edmonton Oilers have been one of the most scrutinized and analyzed teams in the NHL over the past several seasons, with immense expectations riding on the shoulders of superstars like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. Despite assembling one of the most potent offensive cores in the league, Edmonton has continued to search for stability in net. That persistent vulnerability between the pipes has once again come under the microscope, especially following a rollercoaster 2024-25 campaign that saw the Oilers fall just short of a Stanley Cup Final appearance.

Now, as the franchise looks ahead to the next season, a provocative new idea has been floated in the media landscape—one that has sparked significant debate among fans and analysts alike. A hockey columnist recently made headlines by urging the Oilers to consider a blockbuster trade: shipping out current starter Stuart Skinner in exchange for New York Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin, whose long-term deal carries a price tag of \$66 million.

It’s a bold suggestion, no doubt, and one that invites layers of analysis from both a performance and financial standpoint. At the heart of this proposal is a question that Edmonton has yet to definitively answer: is Stuart Skinner capable of backstopping this team to a Stanley Cup? Or is it time for the Oilers to make a serious investment in a netminder who has already proven himself among the NHL’s elite?

Skinner, a native of Edmonton, has been a feel-good story since stepping into the Oilers crease. Drafted in the third round in 2017, he climbed the organizational ladder with steady development and earned his chance during the 2022-23 season. He responded with a strong rookie campaign, eventually earning a spot as the team’s starter and even receiving Calder Trophy consideration. His calm demeanor, athleticism, and local ties made him an easy favorite among fans, and his contract—carrying a modest cap hit of just \$2.6 million—was seen as one of the league’s best bargains at the position.

But the playoffs have exposed cracks in the foundation. Skinner’s postseason performances have ranged from inconsistent to outright problematic, with stretches of shaky play that forced the Oilers to turn to veteran backups like Jack Campbell and Calvin Pickard in critical moments. While no one doubts Skinner’s work ethic or character, the question lingers: can he handle the weight of postseason pressure, especially when facing off against elite goaltenders on the other side of the ice?

That’s where Sorokin enters the picture.

At 28 years old, Ilya Sorokin has built a reputation as one of the most technically sound and athletically gifted goaltenders in the NHL. His 2022-23 campaign was nothing short of spectacular, earning him Vezina Trophy finalist honors after posting a 2.34 goals-against average, .924 save percentage, and six shutouts. He was the Islanders’ backbone through an up-and-down season, routinely stealing games and bailing out an offensively challenged squad.

Recognizing his value, the Islanders locked Sorokin up with an eight-year, \$66 million extension set to kick in during the 2024-25 season, a deal that cements his status as the team’s franchise goaltender. But that long-term commitment has also raised eyebrows given New York’s broader direction. The Islanders have struggled to remain competitive in a tightening Eastern Conference, and with a relatively aging core, some pundits believe it’s time for a retool or even a rebuild. If that happens, Sorokin could be one of the most valuable trade assets on the table—assuming, of course, the team is willing to entertain offers.

That’s the premise of the columnist’s argument: if the Islanders are heading into a transition phase, now might be the perfect moment for Edmonton to strike. By dangling a younger, cost-controlled goaltender like Skinner along with potential draft picks or prospects, the Oilers could offer New York a package that aligns with a long-term vision while simultaneously addressing their own win-now window.

From Edmonton’s standpoint, bringing in Sorokin would represent a dramatic shift in philosophy. It would mean committing serious cap space to a position that the team has historically tried to fill on a budget. But it would also send a clear message—to the locker room, to the fanbase, and to the rest of the league—that the Oilers are done hoping their goalie can rise to the occasion. Instead, they’re ready to pay the premium for a goaltender who has already done so.

Of course, any trade of this magnitude is fraught with risk. Sorokin’s contract, which runs through the 2031-32 season, carries a hefty \$8.25 million annual cap hit. For a team like Edmonton, which is already up against the salary ceiling and has key players like Draisaitl and Evan Bouchard in need of new deals soon, absorbing that kind of contract would require significant maneuvering. The Oilers would likely need to shed salary elsewhere—perhaps moving on from other veterans or rethinking their depth chart in order to make the math work.

There’s also the question of fit. Sorokin has thrived in a defensive structure under Islanders coach Lane Lambert and former bench boss Barry Trotz. The Islanders, even in their lean years, have prioritized structure and discipline in front of their goalie, limiting high-danger chances. The Oilers, in contrast, have often played a more open, fast-paced style that puts greater pressure on goaltenders. Would Sorokin be able to replicate his numbers behind a different system? Could Edmonton make adjustments to support him better?

Meanwhile, there’s a real emotional and cultural cost to moving on from Skinner. A homegrown player who genuinely loves representing his city, Skinner has become a symbol of the team’s identity and a bridge between the fans and the organization. Trading him away would not only create headlines but could also shift the dynamic in the dressing room. Chemistry matters, especially in a tight-knit group like Edmonton’s, and the front office would need to weigh those intangibles just as carefully as the statistical ones.

Still, the potential upside is tantalizing. With Sorokin in net, the Oilers would have one of the best goaltenders in the league supporting arguably the best top-six forward group in the NHL. It’s not hard to imagine that kind of combination propelling Edmonton deep into the playoffs, perhaps even delivering the long-awaited Stanley Cup the franchise and its fans have been chasing since 1990.

There’s also precedent for this kind of aggressive move. Just look at the Colorado Avalanche, who brought in Darcy Kuemper in 2021 and later Alexandar Georgiev to solidify their goaltending before winning it all in 2022. Or the Vegas Golden Knights, who leaned on the hot hand of Adin Hill en route to their first championship. In today’s NHL, elite goaltending doesn’t just help—you can’t win without it.

The Oilers have tried stopgaps and reclamation projects in net for years, from Mikko Koskinen to Mike Smith to Jack Campbell. None have delivered the consistency needed to win four rounds in the spring. Skinner gave them a glimpse of hope, but if that hope turns out to be misplaced, how many more playoff runs can the Oilers afford to waste before their window begins to close?

Ultimately, this proposed trade is less about casting judgment on Skinner and more about aligning roster construction with a championship vision. McDavid and Draisaitl are in their primes. Every year that passes without a Cup is one less shot at greatness. Standing pat is no longer an option. The Oilers need to push their chips into the middle of the table.

Trading for Ilya Sorokin wouldn’t come cheap. It would require difficult conversations, bold decisions, and perhaps even some public backlash. But it could also be the final piece in a puzzle that’s been nearly complete for years. Edmonton’s front office has made daring moves before—signing Zach Hyman, trading for Mattias Ekholm, extending Darnell Nurse. Now, the question becomes: is goaltending the next domino?

If the columnist’s suggestion becomes reality, it would represent one of the biggest trades in recent Oilers history. But it would also reflect a franchise unwilling to settle for “almost.” The Stanley Cup is within reach. The only question is how far the Oilers are willing to go to get it.