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NHL Notebook: Oilers make a flurry of moves
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Photo credit: Perry Nelson-Imagn Images
Ryley Delaney
Dec 12, 2025, 19:00 ESTUpdated: Dec 12, 2025, 19:05 EST
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The Edmonton Oilers have finally made a move to address their goaltending situation.
On Friday morning, the first major trade of the 2025-26 season went down, as the Oilers traded former Calgary Flame Brett Kulak, Stuart Skinner, and a 2029 second-round pick to the Pittsburgh Penguins for Tristan Jarry and Sam Poulin.
In a subsequent move to replace Kulak, the Oilers sent a 2027 third-round pick to the Nashville Predators in exchange for left-shot defenceman Spencer Stastney. These two moves came a day after the Oilers placed Jack Roslovic and Connor Clattenburg on injured reserve, and Jake Walman to long-term injured reserve. In recent times, the Oilers have also called up Riley Stillman and Max Jones.
To say it’s been a busy couple of days for the Oilers would be an understatement. Jarry, who was available to be claimed on waivers last season, has had a nice bounce-back season, posting a .909 save percentage and 2.66 save percentage in 14 games, after an .893 save percentage and 3.09 save percentage in 36 games last season.
For his career, the 30-year-old has a .909 save percentage and 2.74 goals against average, with his best season coming in 2021-22 where he had a .919 save percentage and 2.42 goals against average in 58 games.
It’s a high-risk, high-reward type of move for the Oilers, as Jarry has been injured numerous times throughout his career. On the other hand, Skinner has been a durable netminder who still has potential. This season has been rough, as he has an .891 save percentage and 2.83 goals against average in 23 games, but has shown to be a goalie capable of carrying a team when he’s locked in.
Kulak posted a career-high seven goals and 25 points in 82 games last season, but has regressed in 2025-26, picking up just two assists in 31 games. Stastney is set to be his replacement, as the 25-year-old is six years younger than Kulak and has a goal and nine points in 30 games this season.

Logan Cooley out for at least eight weeks

The Utah Mammoth received some bad news on Thursday, as they announced that Logan Cooley is set to be out for at least eight weeks due to a lower-body injury.
It’s a big blow for the Mammoth, who sit just two points out of the final Wild Card spot. Cooley, drafted third overall in 2022, has scored 14 goals and 23 points in 29 games this season. His 14 goals still lead the team, while he’s tied for fourth in scoring. Last season, Cooley finished with 25 goals and 65 points, second on the team in points and third in goals.
They’ll have to weather the storm over the coming two months as just six points separate the first Wild Card spot and the second-to-last spot in the Western Conference.

Charlie McAvoy back in the lineup

One team that did weather the storm of losing one of their top players were the Boston Bruins. Charlie McAvoy took a puck to the face on Nov. 15, but returned to the Bruins lineup on Thursday.
And what a return it was for the 27-year-old right-shot defenceman. He picked up an assist in the Bruins’ 6-3 victory over the Winnipeg Jets, finishing the night as a +4. For the season, he has no goals but 15 assists in 20 games this season.
McAvoy is among the league’s best defenders, but has played just 70 games over the past two seasons after scoring 12 goals and 47 points in 74 games in 2023-24. He dealt with a scary infection after an injury suffered at the 4 Nations Face-Off last season.
It’s a big boost for the Bruins, as the Original Six team currently sits second in the Atlantic Division thanks to a 19-13-0 record. They’re tied for points with the Tampa Bay Lightning, but have played one additional game.
Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for FlamesNation, Oilersnation, and Blue Jays Nation. She can be followed on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.
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