NHL Rumor Mill – November 11, 2025
Check out the latest on the Oilers and Sabres in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
WILL THE OILERS SHOP FOR A GOALTENDER?
THE ATHLETIC: Allan Mitchell examined what a trade to shake up the struggling Edmonton Oilers might look like. He speculated it could take moving one or more of Matthew Savoie, their 2027 first-round pick, and a veteran such as Adam Henrique or Brett Kulak to bring in a goaltender who might be an upgrade over current starter Stuart Skinner.
Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (NHL Images).
Mitchell suggested Juuse Saros of the Nashville Predators if the latter would agree to take on Henrique and Skinner and retain part of Saros’ $7.74 million average annual value. A more prudent move would be replacing struggling backup goalie Calvin Pickard, perhaps by targeting Sebastian Cossa of the Detroit Red Wings.
A wild card would be Marc-Andre Fleury. He retired at the end of last season, but it might be prudent to monitor his situation in case he changes his mind by midseason.
SPORTSNET: Mark Spector believes the clock is ticking for the Edmonton Oilers to resolve their goaltending woes. He believes Stuart Skinner’s time as their unchallenged starting goalie is over, citing the 26-year-old’s ongoing inconsistency. Spector called on general manager Stan Bowman to find an upgrade.
Spector acknowledged the difficulty Bowman would face. Saros has seven years remaining on his contract with the Predators. The St. Louis Blues might not wish to part with franchise goalie Jordan Binnington (whose stats are worse than Skinner’s). He also noted that Bowman missed the opportunity to land Scott Wedgewood and John Gibson during the summer, though the latter may not have wanted to come to Canada anyway.
EDMONTON JOURNAL: David Staples cited Oilers insider Bob Stauffer defending Skinner’s record and questioning if there was much of a goalie market.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: There isn’t much of a goalie market right now, which is why the Oilers haven’t replaced Skinner or Pickard.
Saros is a pipe dream right now. The Predators are struggling, but they’re not tearing down the roster and rebuilding at this point. Saros has a full no-movement clause and could be unwilling to waive it.
Cossa is an interesting suggestion, but the Red Wings aren’t likely to move out the guy they see as their future starter. Mitchell mentioned Michal Postava, but he’s more of a wild card than Fleury.
As for Fleury, he’s not changing his mind about retirement. He said as much after his brief appearance in a preseason game with the Pittsburgh Penguins to bring his NHL career full circle.
THE LATEST SABRES SPECULATION
THE ATHLETIC: Matthew Fairburn wondered if Buffalo Sabres GM Kevyn Adams would make a move in the trade market with forward Jiri Kulich sidelined indefinitely with a blood clot.
Finding a willing trade partner when the Eastern Conference is wide open won’t be easy. Not many teams are in sell mode yet. Some players that might interest the Sabres could be difficult to acquire if they have no-trade clauses.
Fairburn doesn’t see Adams shaking things up in a big way, but he believes the Sabres GM should try to do something to help his banged-up roster.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It could take several weeks for the trade market to improve. By then, it might be too late to help the Sabres. For now, they must explore internal options or keep an eye on the waiver wire.
How about the Oilers lure Grant Fuhr out of retirement? No worse a suggestion than any of the others. Face it, they’re stuck with Skinner and Pickard until late season at least.
This gave me a good laugh, Howard, because you’re not wrong! 😀
In the words of the memorable Dr. Sheldon Cooper of The Big Bang Theory, “It’s funny because it’s true”.
Goalies, 2 nd line center,and top 4 RHD,what is next on everyone s trade list.Who are some of the people to fill those roles?
While there add it maybe bring Paul Coffey back as a player coach lol
Let see if we can solve some of these issues.
Gorgiev is still kicking around. With a decent defense he’s also “decent’. Nobody looks good in SanJose and neither did he. Marcus Hogberg is too. But he’d be more of a back up. I think Gorgiev might push the Oilers starter.
The Sens need a LD with Chabbot’s back probably keeping him out a few games and zero LD depth in the minors.
Minor league deal involving Rathbone who’s known to Green from when he was in Van. He can play in the bottom pair as a bandaid until Chabby’s return.
Then return the Spence to the pairing with Klevin. Putting him with Chabbot pays some offensive dividends but the give back in actual defense being played is huge. Thomas is being paid for points and minutes – with his defense ability at about a 6.5/10. So you pair him with Spence and now you have to offensive minded guys who can skate. Who’s playing defense?
D Pairs work best when there’s a defensive minded grunt (Zub) and a offensively gifted guy who can skate (Sandy).
Chabbot – Jensen
Klevin – Spence.
I don’t recall the oiler goalies being the problem in the Stanley cup finals. They had their ups and downs in the playoffs but in the end was it skinner’s goaltending?
I’m wondering if Cossa’s name is being tossed around because the Wings also have Augustine in the pipeline?
If the Oilers don’t get their butts in gear and find some goaltending soon, we will be talking about this 2 years from now. Bowman needs to get out of his office chair and figure this out. Trade Bouchard and a couple of others and get something back. A load of plywood would be better than Skinner.
Bouchard was bad before he was an overpay.
Detroit is looking to move some bodies out, But Sebastion Cossa isn’t one of them. Plus he’s currently Injured and could be out awhile.
Kevyn Adams is on the clock to acquire a scoring top six forward. That forward is looking more like a center with Jiri Kulich out. The longer the Sabres wait for that needed player, the more they are likely to lose games and their general manager.
Boston will send you back Middlestadt for a second round pick!
I had thought the Oilers and Sabres could do a player-for-player swap with Levi to the Oilers and Savoie returning to the Sabres.
Mittelstadt returning to Buffalo would be a smart move. Would Boston accept a third round pick?