The Edmonton Oilers are approaching a pivotal roster decision as starting goaltender Tristan Jarry nears a return from a lower-body injury that has sidelined him for 25 days. His imminent comeback, potentially as soon as Thursday, January 15th, against the New York Islanders, forces the team to confront an unusual but not unprecedented question: should they carry three netminders on their active roster?
The Three-Goalie Conundrum: Cap Space and Roster Math
Jarry's injury, sustained on December 16th against the Boston Bruins, prompted the emergency recall of Connor Ingram from the AHL's Bakersfield Condors. Since then, Ingram and backup Calvin Pickard have split duties. Ingram has posted a 3-2-1 record with a .892 save percentage over six starts, while Pickard has gone 2-2 in four starts, highlighted by a stellar 41-save performance in Winnipeg.
According to salary cap expert Hart Levine of PuckPedia, the Oilers could technically fit three goalies under the cap. With approximately $270,000 in space, they could activate Jarry and defenseman Jake Walman from LTIR, provided forward Adam Henrique (suspected broken hand) moves to LTIR. This would create a 23-man roster with three goalies, seven defensemen, and 13 forwards.
"The trick is when Henrique comes back after the Olympics with nobody else injured, then they would have to clear about $2.1 million in cap space if everyone else was healthy," Levine noted, highlighting a future complication.
Navigating the Logistical and Competitive Challenges
Carrying three goalies is logistically challenging and often unpopular with the players involved, as practice time and game action become scarce. However, with a condensed schedule of 15 games in 31 days before the Olympic break, the Oilers could theoretically use the extra depth to manage workload and keep all netminders fresh.
Other NHL teams, including the Buffalo Sabres and Montreal Canadiens, have utilized a three-goalie system this season, demonstrating it is a feasible, if not ideal, strategy. For the Oilers, it would provide insurance as Jarry works his way back to full game speed.
The alternative is to return Connor Ingram to the AHL. However, his situation is nuanced. Recalled on an emergency basis for Jarry, a 30-day waiver clock begins ticking once Jarry is activated. Ingram has already been up for 24 days since Jarry's injury. If the Oilers activate Jarry and then later decide to send Ingram down, they risk losing him on waivers as he would be very close to, or past, that 30-day threshold.
Decision Time for Edmonton's Management
The coming days will reveal the Oilers' preferred path. Keeping three goalies offers short-term flexibility and protection during a grueling stretch of the schedule. It allows Jarry to ease back without immediate pressure and maintains organizational depth.
Sending Ingram down clears a roster spot and simplifies the goalie rotation but carries the inherent risk of a waiver claim. It also places full confidence in Pickard as the primary backup while Jarry reclaims the starter's net.
Ultimately, the decision will hinge on the team's assessment of Jarry's readiness, their comfort level with the cap gymnastics required, and their valuation of Ingram as an asset they cannot afford to lose. As the week progresses, all eyes will be on the Oilers' crease, where a two-into-one problem is becoming a three-way debate.
