The Daily: Oilers Mum on Starting Goalie; NHL Rumors; Ekblad Cost

It’s only hours to go before tonight’s Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Finals and we don’t know for sure who will play in goal for the Edmonton Oilers.

Edmonton fans, and many others, know that it should be former Red Wings and Grand Rapids Griffins player Calvin Pickard who has been a surprise -Edmonton hero in these playoffs. The long-time NHL backup goal is 7-0 in this postseason and one of those wins came in relief in Game 4 when the Oilers erased a three-goal deficit to win in overtime.

How clutch has Calvin Pickard been this postseason!? 🤩

Catch Game 5 of the #StanleyCup Final between the @FlaPanthers and @EdmontonOilers TOMORROW at 8p ET on @NHL_On_TNT, @SportsonMax, @Sportsnet, and @TVASports! pic.twitter.com/a1YDAW1SCz

— NHL (@NHL) June 13, 2025

While it may seem like an easy decision, it’s not a comfortable situation.  Pickard is viewed as a journeyman. He’s been well-liked everywhere he’s been, including in Detroit and Grand Rapids, and he’s been an adequate fill in. He has a perfect record in the playoffs, but his save percentage is .898.

But Stuart Skinner, who started the playoffs as the No.1, has worse numbers. It’s hard for fans to trust him.

Whoever the Oilers play, they must go up against Sergei Bobrovsky, a proven playoff goalie with a 2.27 GAA and a .912 save percentage.

Surely, the Oilers will go with the feel-good story — the backup goalie who is living his best life these days.

Players always try to be diplomatic about teammates. But this is what Leon Draisaitl told Sportsnet about Pickard: “We love him in here.”

Red Wings in Case You Missed It

Reports say the Red Wings are among the teams interested in trading for rough-and-ready Vegas defenseman Nicolas Hague. 

Who is Detroit’s top young goalie now? Is it Sebastian Cossa or Michal Postava? They are only nine months apart in age.

Honors keep coming from Detroit’s top prospect Axel Sandin Pellikka. He was named European Young Player of the Year.

Red Wings Extra

AFPAnalytics.com, a website that does a credible job of projecting NHL contracts, has pending UFA defenseman Aaron Ekblad coming in at seven years at $7.802 million. What DHN is hearing: depending upon which team signs him the AAV could end up at $8 million or $8.25 million. It just takes two competitive bidders to drive up the price. The Red Wings, Toronto and Edmonton have all been linked to bidding for Ekblad if the Florida Panthers can’t get him re-signed.

Hockey Now Network

Florida: The entertainment value has been high for this Stanley Cup Final. Florida Panthers. 

Montreal: Read Marc Dumont’s take on why Montreal could use Jonathan Toews. He also looks at Montreal’s competition for Toews. Montreal Canadiens. 

New York: Russ Macias addresses whether the Islanders might consider putting in an offer sheet for an RFA. Plus, he gives his thoughts on what it would take to get a second pick in the top five of this year’s draft. New York Islanders.

Philadelphia: DHN is hearing that the Dallas Stars would much rather move Mason Marchment and/or Matt Dumbo, rather than Jason Robertson, to improve their salary cap outlook.  William James reports it makes sense for the Flyers to look into acquiring Marchment. He would add some physical play and a net-front presence the Flyers need. Philadelphia Flyers.