The Edmonton Oilers have hit this offseason with a significant question mark in the crease. The lack of certainty in the crease prompted Oilers GM Stan Bowman to declare the team is looking to address the position.
The Oilers can potentially solve their goaltending issues by trading for Vancouver Canucks netminder Thatcher Demko. Demko was the runner-up in Vezina Trophy voting in 2024, finishing behind Winnipeg Jets’ star Connor Hellebuyck.
This trade proposal has some teeth to it. Insider David Pagnotta of the Fourth Period stated the following about Demko’s availability:
“They are looking for ways to upgrade their scoring punch up front. If they are offered a young, controllable top-six forward by a team in need of a new No.1 goaltender, that might be enough to pry Thatcher Demko out of Vancouver.”
Demko spent much of last season on the shelf with a knee injury. In the meantime, Kevin Lankinen took over the starting role. The Canucks then committed to Lankinen, signing him to a five-year, $22.5 million contract.
As for Demko, he’s in the final year of his current deal at $5 million AAV. The 29-year-old does not have a no-trade clause in his contract. That makes Demko a prime target for the Oilers to solve their goaltending situation.
The other side of the equation is the “young, controllable top-six forward.” That forward could be Matthew Savoie. The Edmonton Oilers acquired Matthew Savoie from Buffalo in the trade that sent Ryan McLeon to the Sabres.
While the deal wouldn’t be a straight-up one-for-one, Demko and Savoie could be the main pieces in this trade proposal.
How Trade Proposal Between Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks would work out
Let’s get down to the nitty-gritty.
This trade proposal could look something like this:
Oilers get:
Thatcher Demko, G
2025 fourth-round pick
Canucks get:
Matthew Savoie, F
Calvin Pickard, G
In addition to Demko, the Oilers get a fourth-round pick (though it could be a third-rounder) as a thank-you for the trouble of taking the final year of Demko’s contract off their hands. The pick could be something more like a third-rounder as the Oilers would be surrendering their top prospect in the deal.
The Canucks get Savoie, a player who projects as a top-six forward. He had a brief stint with the Edmonton Oilers at the beginning of the season. But Savoie found himself playing the bulk of the year in the AHL.
Calvin Pickard would also go to Vancouver as the Oilers would be unable to carry three goalies and the Canucks would need a backup for next season. Pickard comes with a $1 million cap hit for next season. So, adding Pickard makes sense.
What about Stuart Skinner?
If this trade proposal were to happen, Demko would become the Edmonton Oilers’ starter. That situation would leave Stuart Skinner as Demko’s backup next season. Now, this point is crucial as Skinner would be a competent backup if Demko should go down with injury.
Plus, the Canucks would not take Skinner in the trade for Demko due to his $2.6 million cap hit. That’s just too high for a backup. But in the Oilers’ case, the team can ride out the final year of Skinner’s contract, keeping him as a backup.
After next season, Skinner becomes a UFA. Demko would also be a UFA. But if Demko proves he’s still a Vezina-caliber goalie, the Oilers can sign him to an extension. Edmonton can then afford to let Skinner walk.
This interesting trade proposal might seem surprising, but it would solve both teams’ needs in one shot.
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