Edmonton Makes Major Shakeup, Reconfiguring Its Goaltending and Forward Line
EDMONTON, AB — The Oilers have announced a significant roster reshuffle, bringing in goaltender Tristan Jarry and forward Samuel Poulin from the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for goaltender Stuart Skinner, defenseman Brett Kulak, and a second-round draft pick in 2029. In addition, Edmonton has completed a separate deal, acquiring defenseman Spencer Stastney from the Nashville Predators in return for a third-round pick in the 2027 Draft.
Tristan Jarry stands 6’4” and weighs 200 pounds. This season, he has played 14 games with 13 starts, posting a 9-3-1 record, a 2.66 goals-against average, and a .909 save percentage. He began the year strongly, winning five of his first six starts and seven of his first nine, highlighted by a 31-save shutout against the San Jose Sharks on October 18. Jarry, a former Edmonton Oil King and 2014 Memorial Cup champion, was Pittsburgh’s second-round pick in 2013 (44th overall). He spent a decade with the Penguins, appearing in 307 games and debuting in the 2016-17 season. He has also played in eight playoff games across three seasons. A two-time NHL All-Star (2020, 2022), Jarry leaves Pittsburgh ranked among the franchise leaders in several categories—third in games played and wins (161) and GAA (2.74), and fourth in save percentage (.909). His 22 career shutouts place him tied for second on the franchise list behind Marc-Andre Fleury (44).
Spencer Stastney, a 6’0”, 185-pound left-shot defenseman, has appeared in 81 games across four seasons for Nashville, including 30 games in the 2025-26 season. At 25 years old, he has one goal and eight assists, along with 10 penalty minutes, averaging 14:52 of ice time per game. Stastney was Nashville’s fifth-round pick (131st overall) in 2018 and hails from Woodridge, Illinois.
Samuel Poulin is a 6’2”, 227-pound left-shot forward who has totaled 64 goals and 71 assists in 207 games over the past five seasons with Wilkes-Barre Scranton, the Penguins’ American Hockey League affiliate. He has also played in 15 NHL games for Pittsburgh during that stretch, including two appearances in November. Poulin, a first-round pick (21st overall) in 2019, has spent time in the Penguins’ lineup and provides Edmonton with added depth at forward.
Summary of what this means for the Oilers:
- Strong long-term goaltending addition in Jarry, paired with Poulin up front to help offset the departure of Skinner and Kulak.
- A shift in balance toward a more experience-rich netminding group, with Jarry’s size and playoff pedigree providing different nuances in Edmonton’s defensive structure.
- The package signals Edmonton’s willingness to recalibrate its core around Jarry, while bringing in younger talent in Poulin and a mobile defenseman in Stastney to complement the lineup.
Controversial angles and questions for fans to consider:
- Does this package improve Edmonton’s ability to contend immediately, or does it hinge on Jarry’s performance returning to his All-Star-caliber form? How does this impact first-pair defense and overall depth?
- With Skinner, Kulak, and a 2029 second-round pick leaving for Pittsburgh, what does the Oilers’ championship window look like in the next few seasons?
- Is Stastney a high-upside addition who can contribute immediately, or is this a developmental piece for deeper defensive rotations?
What do you think is the most compelling aspect of this deal—and where could it spark the loudest debate among Oilers fans? Share your take in the comments.
