The instability in the Edmonton Oilers' NHL crease is causing significant collateral damage deeper within the organization, negatively impacting the development of goaltending prospects throughout their farm system.
The Ripple Effect from the NHL Net
Following concerns over the performance of starter Stuart Skinner and backup Calvin Pickard, the Oilers made a decisive move on October 1, 2025, acquiring veteran netminder Connor Ingram from the Utah Hockey Club. This transaction, aimed at solidifying the NHL roster, has had unintended consequences for the organization's future in goal.
Originally, the plan for the American Hockey League's (AHL) Bakersfield Condors was clear. Veteran Matt Tomkins, 31, was signed to share the net and, crucially, act as a mentor to one of the team's promising young goalies. The candidates for that developmental role were Connor Ungar (23), Samuel Jonsson (21) from Sweden, and Nathaniel Day (20) from the Ontario Hockey League.
A Logjam in the Pipeline
The arrival of Connor Ingram in Edmonton fundamentally altered that blueprint. With Ingram and Pickard in the NHL, Skinner was assigned to Bakersfield. This created a logjam, resulting in two veteran goalies—Skinner and Tomkins—occupying the AHL spots in Bakersfield.
Consequently, all three young prospects—Ungar, Jonsson, and Day—were assigned to the ECHL's Fort Wayne Komets, where the Oilers have a development agreement. While all three are receiving adequate playing time, the developmental environment is not ideal.
None of the young goalies are benefiting from daily mentorship from Tomkins at the AHL level, and perhaps more critically, none are facing the superior shot quality and competition present in the AHL. This represents a significant deviation from the intended development path for these assets.
The Gap Between AHL and ECHL Competition
The tangible difference in competition level between the AHL and ECHL is stark, as illustrated by the performance of several skaters also playing in Fort Wayne this season. These players struggled in the AHL last year but are thriving in the ECHL.
- Jayden Grubbe, 22: Managed 2 goals and 14 points in 62 AHL games last season. This year in the ECHL, he has 4 goals and 13 points in just 18 games.
- Brady Stonehouse, 21: Had 0 points in 7 AHL games last year. In Fort Wayne, he has 3 goals and 8 points in 18 games.
- James Stefan, 22: Scored 3 goals with 0 assists in 45 AHL games. Currently, he boasts 10 goals and 17 points in 18 ECHL contests.
This data underscores the substantial step down in competitive environment, highlighting the challenge for young goalies like Jonsson, Ungar, and Day to develop at the required pace when not tested by AHL-calibre talent.
The Oilers' short-term solution for NHL stability has created a long-term question for their goaltending pipeline. The organization must now navigate how to ensure its top prospects receive the high-level competition and mentorship necessary to eventually challenge for NHL roles, despite the current structural blockage.
