NHL analyst Jack Michaels believes that the Oilers will not be making a goaltending move prior to the trade deadline, and that Stuart Skinner is their go to guy. New reports indicate the <a href='https://www.hockeylatest.com/nhl-team/edmonton-oilers/edmonton-oilers-analyst-reveals-that-the-team-will-not-be-trading-for-a-goalie-due-to-chemistry-concerns' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Edmonton Oilers will not be trading for a goaltender</a> because they do not believe there is a clear upgrade over Stuart Skinner. <a href='https://www.hockeylatest.com/nhl-team/edmonton-oilers/new-report-confirms-what-the-edmonton-oilers-would-need-to-give-up-to-land-john-gibson-from-the-anaheim-ducks' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>While rumors linked the Oilers to Ducks</a> goalie John Gibson, management is not looking at him as a significant change. During an appearance on 'Insider Trading', NHL insider <a href='https://x.com/PierreVLeBrun' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Pierre LeBrun</a> once again indicated that Edmonton does not believe goaltending is an issue and is not impressed by what's available. It's not a priority discussion within the Oilers front office for a very specific reason. I don't think that the Oilers look at the goalie available on the market right now and say there's a guy who's an absolute guaranteed upgrade over Stuart Skinner. I'm not saying it's not possible for them to trade for a goalie, but it's not a priority item for them. - Pierre LeBrun <div align='center' class='pl20 pr20'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/OilerAlert/status/1894523245090803778'> </a></blockquote></div> NHL announcer and analyst <a href='https://x.com/EdmontonJack' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Jack Michaels</a> shares this perspective as well, believing the Oilers will once again stick with Skinner as their go-to guy in the playoffs. He thinks the club feels good about going with their current goaltending setup. I think Stuart Skinner's going to be the guy this year... I do not expect a goaltending move - Jack Michaels <div align='center' class='pl20 pr20'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/sickpodnhl/status/1895111660639314050'> </a></blockquote></div> But the implication that there is no upgrade here is questionable. <a href='https://www.nhl.com/oilers/player/stuart-skinner-8479973' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Skinner</a> has recorded a .898 save percentage in 39 starts and stands in the 50th position in GSAx among goaltenders who have made at least 10 starts. His ineffectiveness against quality competition is the issue. In the meantime, <a href='https://www.nhl.com/ducks/player/john-gibson-8476434' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Gibson</a> registers a .916 save percentage and is 7th in GSAx through 24 games. <h3>Gibson and Vejmelka are statistical upgrades over Skinner</h3> Utah's Karel Vejmelka, who could be trade bait too, has a .910 save percentage through 36 games and is 12th in GSAx. Both would be in fact statistical upgrades. Even if Edmonton holds on to Skinner, an upgrade on Calvin Pickard needs to be a priority. Beginning another playoff push with below-average goaltending would be an enormous risk in Connor McDavid's 10th year in the NHL. If the Oilers do feel that Skinner is enough, they'd better hope it doesn't cost them another playoff run.