The 2025-26 NHL season has seen its fair share of goaltender trades, and it's time to take a closer look at some of the most notable deals and their outcomes. The Edmonton Oilers' acquisition of Tristan Jarry from the Pittsburgh Penguins is a prime example of a trade that backfired spectacularly. Jarry, a 31-year-old buy-low candidate, was expected to provide an upgrade for the Oilers' struggling goaltending situation. However, his performance in the regular season was a stark contrast to his previous season, with a -4.1 Goals Saved Above Expected rating and a career-worst .858 save percentage. The Oilers' desperation to make a switch is understandable, but the trade's outcome has been a major disappointment.
On the other hand, the Penguins' trade of Stuart Skinner to the Oilers was a wash, with Skinner's statistics regressing to an .895 save percentage and a 2.99 goals-against average. The Penguins' decision to trade Jarry and Skinner was based on the conditions of the trade, but the outcome has been less than ideal. The Penguins' trade of Skinner for Brett Kulak, Samuel Girard, and a 2028 second-round pick was a savvy move, as it allowed them to escape the Jarry situation and add valuable assets.
The Pittsburgh Penguins also made a strategic move by acquiring Arturs Silovs from the Vancouver Canucks. Silovs, a 24-year-old goaltender, was brought in for Chase Stillman and a 2028 fourth-round selection. Despite leading the Abbotsford Canucks to an AHL title, Silovs' performance with the Penguins has been underwhelming. His -11.9 Goals Saved Above Expected rating and a 3.07 goals-against average are not impressive, but his .939 save percentage in three games against the Flyers is a testament to his ability to step up on the biggest stage.
The Edmonton Oilers' acquisition of Connor Ingram from the Utah NHL is another interesting trade. Ingram, a 29-year-old goaltender, was brought in as an insurance policy for the Oilers' struggling goaltending situation. His resilience and career-best 2.60 goals-against average in 30 games for the Oilers are commendable, but his performance was not enough to propel the team to another run in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Ingram's future with the Oilers is uncertain, but he remains a solid backup option for any team.
The San Jose Sharks' trade of Alex Nedeljkovic to the Pittsburgh Penguins for a 2028 third-round pick is another notable deal. Nedeljkovic, a 33-year-old goaltender, carried a reasonable $2.5MM AAV and posted statistics similar to his previous two seasons in Pittsburgh. The Sharks' decision to re-up Nedeljkovic on a two-year pact worth $3MM per season is a smart move, as it provides stability in net for the developing Yaroslav Askarov.
In conclusion, the 2025-26 NHL season's goaltender trades have had their fair share of ups and downs. The Penguins have emerged as winners, finding a solid young piece in Silovs and making a savvy trade to escape the Jarry situation. The Oilers, on the other hand, have been left with a mess on their hands, and their future goaltending situation remains uncertain. As the off-season approaches, the market for goaltenders is expected to be active, with bigger names on the move, including Jordan Binnington and Devon Levi.
