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Oilers pull out of Laurent Brossoit trade talks over reason that could scare suitors away

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Sam Walker
December 3, 2025 (10:36 PM)

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The goaltending pressure on the Edmonton Oilers has never been higher, yet whispers that the club might pass on bringing in Laurent Brossoit have grown louder.

Despite being a low-cost option, one major concern seems to overpower the urgency of a goaltending upgrade from current netminder Stuart Skinner.

Brossoit's name surfaced lately as a realistic trade target for Edmonton. The veteran netminder, now 32, carries a $3.3 million cap hit.

Blackhawks grant Laurent Brossoit permission to sea a trade with other teams

The appeal is obvious: in his last two full seasons, Brossoit had posted a .927 save percentage in backup roles, a solid performance when healthy, alongside a Stanley Cup in the past with the Vegas Golden Knights.

Still, insiders caution the Oilers might steer clear. On the most recent 32 Thoughts podcast, respected insider Elliotte Friedman pointed out Edmonton's negative experience with a comeback goalie. He referenced how John Klingberg took time to regain his form after a long layoff. That delay cost the Oilers precious momentum at a time when there's little room for error.

Sportsnet and NHL insider Elliotte Friedman previously linked Laurent Brossoit as a possible goaltending option for the Edmonton Oilers. Suggesting the price to acquire Brossoit wouldn't be expensive, the Chicago Blackhawks netminder might not be an upgrade, but he could be a solid Plan B if Edmonton feels the need to make a goalie change.

«I had someone who said to me that they would be surprised if the Oilers go after Brossoit because last year they had [John] Klingberg, who went through a long-term injury, hadn't played in a while, and it took him a while to get going.» Friedman added, «So, he's he said it doesn't mean you're wrong. It doesn't mean they won't be interested or look. But, Klingberg actually started to play a lot better once the playoffs got going, but it took a while and I'm just not sure the Oilers feel they have months to wait for Brossoit to get up to speed.»

The concern carries weight. Even if Brossoit cleared a conditioning stint, there's no guarantee he'd stabilize the crease quickly. Pair that uncertainty with the $3.3 million cap hit-already higher than incumbent starter Stuart Skinner's $2.6 million-and the decision becomes trickier.

Brossoit's health history casts a big shadow

For a team chasing a Stanley Cup, experimenting with a goalie who missed significant time could be too risky.

The Oilers seem unwilling to roll the dice on a «maybe-ready» netminder over committing to Skinner or seeking a different option. If Brossoit can rekindle his old form, fine, but Edmonton appears to need something more immediate, more certain.

For now the goalie market quiets in Edmonton. The Oilers need consistency between the pipes, not uncertainty.

Previously on Chicago Hockey Insider

Connor Bedard's highlight-reel goals outshined by Golden Knights Tuesday night

Three teams named in Laurent Brossoit sweepstakes as the Chicago Blackhawks prepare to trade him

Ex-Blackhawk Patrick Kane on the verge of setting historic standard for American-born NHL

POLL
DECEMBRE 3 \| 116 ANSWERS Oilers pull out of Laurent Brossoit trade talks over reason that could scare suitors away Do you think Edmonton made the right call skipping Brossoit?
Yes, it's too risky	44	37.9 %
No, they needed a change	51	44 %
Maybe next offseason	6	5.2 %
Wait and see	15	12.9 %
List of polls

Oilers pull out of Laurent Brossoit trade talks over reason that could scare suitors away

The goaltending pressure on the Edmonton Oilers has never been higher, yet whispers that the club might pass on bringing in Laurent Brossoit have grown louder.

Brossoit's health history casts a big shadow

Do you think Edmonton made the right call skipping Brossoit?