Oilers' Draft Decision Sparks Fury: Why Not a Goalie? Fans Demand Answers!

Edmonton, Canada - The Edmonton Oilers are facing a tempestuous reaction from fans following their decisions in the 2025 NHL Draft. Coming off a disappointing Stanley Cup Finals, where the team’s goaltending deficiencies were painfully evident, one would think that the organization’s priority would be bolstering that critical position. Instead, the Oilers opted to select forward Tommy Lafreniere from the Kamloops Blazers with their 83rd overall pick, an action that has left many scratching their heads in disbelief.

According to Pro Football Network, the fans‘ frustration stems not just from the draft choice, but from the glaring goaltending issues that have plagued the team. Last season, Stuart Skinner’s challenges as the starting goaltender played a significant role in their playoff demise. His record of 26-18-4, alongside a worrying .896 save percentage, highlighted the immediate need for improvement at the netminder position. Even backup Calvin Pickard struggled, delivering a .903 save percentage and raising serious doubts about his capability under pressure.

Fans in Outrage

The choice of Lafreniere, who scored 24 goals and tallied 56 points while maintaining a minus-33 rating in his last season, shocked many supporters. They took to social media to express their disappointment, grumbling about the team’s unclear direction, especially given their $12.35 million cap space which seems to limit meaningful roster alterations. The consensus appears to be that the Oilers have misunderstood their championship window, especially with superstar Connor McDavid vocal about the importance of winning.

Fans aren’t alone in their critique. Corey Pronman from The New York Times graded the Oilers‘ draft performance as a C, citing the lack of a pick until the 83rd selection as a hurdle to building a strong draft class. Besides Lafreniere, the Oilers selected David Lewandowski from the Saskatoon Blades at 117, another forward. While Lewandowski brings decent attributes to the table, such as speed and average skill, neither player meets the pressing need for a goaltender.

Goaltending Concerns Remain

As it stands, the Oilers’ goaltending situation remains precarious. Last Word on Sports points out that not only did Skinner struggle with a Goals Saved Above Average (GSAA) of -2.27, but the overall team save percentage was dismal, sitting among the worst of playoff teams. Only Minnesota and Montreal demonstrated worse goals against averages, further intensifying the urgency for improvement.

With the pressing need for qualified goaltending solutions now looming larger after this draft, fans are left to ponder: Did the Oilers misread the room? With player contracts, salary cap constraints, and rising pressure from a dedicated fan base, the franchise faces a critical crossroads. The path forward is unclear, yet the voices demanding a focus on goaltending have never been louder.