The Edmonton Oilers have been facing intense scrutiny over their goaltending following recent losses, sparking speculation about potential changes. Among those linked to trade discussions is Jordan Binnington, the experienced goaltender currently with the St. Louis Blues. Despite the urgency to improve their roster, the Oilers have not moved forward with acquiring Binnington, and insiders reveal multiple factors behind this decision.
Trade rumors often arise when teams struggle, but the Oilers’ situation is complicated by both on-ice issues and off-ice tensions. The possibility of bringing in Binnington has been discussed in media circles, including TSN’s OverDrive, where analysts delved into the likelihood of such a transaction.
Oilers’ Current Goaltending Struggles and Trade Considerations
On TSN’s OverDrive, the conversation highlighted Edmonton’s recent defeat against the Anaheim Ducks following the Olympic break. Bryan Hayes noted,
They had the lead the whole night, and Jarry gets pulled. He’s been awful.
He then questioned,
Is it 0% chance they address the goaltending position again?
Jeff O’Neill responded,
I don’t think it can be zero, dude.
This exchange showed that while a trade remains possible, there are significant hurdles.
Hayes himself then cast doubt on the probability of a deal by saying,
Like, let’s say Doug Armstrong calls and goes, Binnington’s available. Like, that’s just not happening,
suggesting that the Oilers’ relationship with St. Louis affects the chances of a trade.
Limited Interest and the Impact of Past Transactions Between Teams
Insider Darren Dreger expressed surprise at the lack of league-wide interest in Binnington, explaining,
I’m surprised there hasn’t been a lot of interest around Binnington, even of late, you know, pre-Olympics, during, post-Olympics. There just isn’t.
Despite Binnington’s strong performance helping Canada reach the Olympic final, where they narrowly lost 2-1 to the USA in overtime, no significant trade momentum has developed.
Dreger also pointed out the difficulties specifically involving Edmonton, stating,
Now, when you talk about Edmonton, it’s complicated, because this is where the boardroom comes into play,
referring to off-ice issues. He highlighted lingering resentment stemming from the St. Louis Blues signing two former Oilers prospects, defenseman Philip Broberg and forward Dylan Holloway, after Edmonton chose not to match offer sheets for these players in August 2024. The Blues’ actions left the Oilers feeling they had been undercut, which complicates negotiations.
Jeff O’Neill remarked on this tension as well, adding,
They had more than an opportunity to re-sign the players, Darren.
This context keeps the situation delicate, as both teams’ decisions in those offer sheet scenarios still influence their interactions today.
Leadership and Management Factors Affecting Trade Possibilities
The panel also debated whether a change in the Oilers’ management could shift their approach toward acquiring Binnington. Bryan Hayes questioned if new leadership might make a difference, but analysts noted that entrenched ownership views and relationships remain influential. Darren Dreger emphasized that previous management connections still impact strategic choices in the team’s boardroom, making any movement toward a Binnington trade more complex than just evaluating on-ice need.
Broader Team Challenges Beyond the Goaltending Position
Discussion expanded to the Oilers’ wider roster issues, especially the lack of depth in the bottom six forwards. Dreger asked,
Doesn’t Edmonton need help in their bottom six?
highlighting ongoing injuries and lineup concerns as priorities. Jeff O’Neill agreed, bluntly stating,
They got a lot of problems. They’re in trouble.
This suggests management might focus on shoring up vulnerable forward positions rather than making another change in net immediately.
Debate Over Whether Adding Binnington Would Address Core Problems
Experts questioned whether swapping in another goalie like Binnington would bring a meaningful upgrade or simply replicate existing troubles. Jonas Siegel raised the issue:
Isn’t it just doing the same thing that you just did with Jarry? Isn’t it literally the same thing?
Though Hayes pointed to Binnington’s proven ability to perform under pressure, no clear consensus was reached about the potential impact of such a move.
What Holds Back the Oilers From Acquiring Binnington at Present
Ultimately, several intertwined factors explain why the Edmonton Oilers have not pursued Jordan Binnington despite their goaltending concerns. A limited trade interest around Binnington league-wide reduces bargaining leverage, while past off-ice tensions with the St. Louis Blues complicate any negotiation process. Additionally, Edmonton’s roster uncertainties, especially in forward depth, suggest the team might prioritize other areas over changing their goaltending options.
With these considerations, the Oilers appear unlikely to pursue a trade for Binnington in the near future, even though the conversation around improving netminding remains ongoing within NHL circles.
"The Oilers are still sour that St. Louis picked their pocket on the offer sheets." 🤯@DarrenDreger and @reporterchris on why Jordan Binnington hasn't been an option in Edmonton.#STLBlues #LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/EN1JYR07Sw
— OverDrive (@OverDrive1050) February 26, 2026
