In a dramatic and unexpected twist to the NHL offseason, the Edmonton Oilers have made a seismic splash by signing two goaltenders from the Toronto Maple Leafs, sending shockwaves through both fanbases and across the entire hockey world. The blockbuster dual signing, confirmed just moments ago by Oilers general manager Stan Bowman, signals a clear intention from Edmonton’s front office: after falling just short in the Stanley Cup Final, the time to go all-in on solidifying their goaltending is now.
With uncertainty surrounding their crease after an inconsistent and injury-plagued goaltending stretch in the playoffs, the Oilers acted aggressively—and some would say shockingly—by acquiring Joseph Woll and Ilya Samsonov from Toronto. The move not only reshapes Edmonton’s depth chart in net but also suggests a new era of risk-taking under Bowman’s leadership.
The news was announced via a surprise press conference outside Rogers Place in Edmonton, where Bowman addressed a stunned group of reporters.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Joseph Woll and Ilya Samsonov to Edmonton,” Bowman said. “Goaltending was a position we identified as needing more stability and upside. Both Joseph and Ilya bring experience, talent, and a hunger to win. We believe this tandem gives us the edge we need moving forward.”
The deal is a significant shakeup. Edmonton, previously relying on Stuart Skinner and backup Calvin Pickard, decided to overhaul their crease following a postseason where Skinner’s performances were widely criticized despite flashes of promise.
The Contracts
While financial terms were not immediately disclosed, sources close to the negotiations revealed that:
Joseph Woll, 26, signed a three-year deal worth approximately $12.6 million total ($4.2M AAV).
Ilya Samsonov, 28, agreed to a one-year prove-it deal for around $3.5 million.
Both contracts are structured to give Edmonton flexibility moving forward while giving the goaltenders a chance to compete for the starting job in what is expected to be one of the league’s most intriguing battles in training camp.
The Oilers have been on the cusp of a championship for the past three seasons, and after a heartbreaking Game 7 loss in the 2025 Stanley Cup Final, the message from the front office was loud and clear: standing pat was not an option.
Goaltending has long been the Achilles’ heel for Edmonton, even with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl dominating offensively. Inconsistency, playoff collapses, and lack of depth between the pipes have repeatedly derailed their postseason ambitions.
Stuart Skinner, while promising and beloved locally, struggled with consistency under pressure. Though he had moments of brilliance during the regular season, the coaching staff had to turn to veteran Calvin Pickard several times during the playoffs, highlighting the organization’s lack of confidence in its crease during crucial moments.
With both Woll and Samsonov becoming available from Toronto due to internal cap constraints and the rise of younger talent like Dennis Hildeby, the Oilers pounced on a rare opportunity to snag two proven NHL-caliber goalies in one stroke.
“You don’t often get a chance to reset your goaltending like this,” said Bowman. “We saw an opening and we went for it.”
Joseph Woll was once considered the heir apparent in Toronto, with a smooth, calm style and excellent puck-tracking ability. Despite battling injuries during the 2024–25 season, Woll posted a .915 save percentage and had a stellar 17-6-2 record when healthy. In the playoffs, he had moments of brilliance before being sidelined due to a groin injury.
Woll is seen as the long-term bet for Edmonton. At 6’4”, he brings size, athleticism, and the poise of a future No. 1 goalie. He was Toronto’s most consistent netminder over the past two seasons and is expected to compete for the starter’s role immediately.
“Edmonton’s core is ready to win now, and I want to be part of that,” Woll said during a remote media call. “This is a great challenge and a big opportunity.”
For Samsonov, the move to Edmonton could mark the final chance to reclaim the promise that made him a first-round draft pick. After an up-and-down tenure in Washington and two inconsistent seasons in Toronto, Samsonov arrives with something to prove.
In 2023–24, Samsonov was statistically solid but often streaky. By 2024–25, younger options in Toronto began pushing him out, and when the Leafs elected not to re-sign him long term, he found the Oilers as his best fit.
He’s betting on himself with a one-year deal, and Oilers insiders say his motivation is “sky-high.”
“People think I’m finished,” Samsonov told reporters. “I’m not. I’ve worked harder this offseason than ever before. I’m coming to Edmonton to win.”
The arrival of Woll and Samsonov casts immediate uncertainty over the futures of Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard. Skinner, still under contract, may remain in Edmonton as a third-string or be dangled as trade bait for blue-line help.
Pickard, who admirably stepped in during the playoffs, is a pending free agent and unlikely to be re-signed.
There’s also speculation that Skinner could be packaged in a deal to bring in a veteran forward, possibly to fill the gap left by McDavid’s shocking trade to the Rangers earlier this summer.
Coach Kris Knoblauch was non-committal when asked about the goaltending pecking order.
“We’ll go into camp with an open mind. The job will be earned, not given,” he said. “But we are very excited about the competition that Joseph and Ilya bring.”
Reaction to the move was swift—and intense. Pundits on both sides of the border weighed in on what many are calling “the boldest goaltending shift of the offseason.”
TSN’s Craig Button called it “a franchise-altering swing.”
“Edmonton’s window is wide open, and this shows they understand that. Woll and Samsonov are both capable of stealing games, and that’s what the Oilers were missing.”
Former Oilers goalie Devan Dubnyk, now an analyst for NHL Network, praised the acquisitions but warned about chemistry.
“These guys are good, but goaltending isn’t just stats—it’s rhythm, trust, and timing. Edmonton will need to build that quickly.”
Leafs fans, meanwhile, were split. While many understood the cap implications behind letting both goalies go, some voiced frustration that their goalie pipeline had been gutted in one day.
“Can’t believe we let both Woll and Sammy go for nothing,” one fan tweeted. “Edmonton just got a whole new goalie room—Leafs better hope their gamble pays off.”
With Leon Draisaitl now taking on a larger leadership role and Evan Bouchard emerging as an elite defenseman, the Oilers have already begun restructuring after McDavid’s exit. Adding Woll and Samsonov could be the final piece in what many see as a stealthy offseason rebuild—one that’s still focused on winning now.
While Edmonton still needs depth scoring and perhaps another physical presence on the blue line, Bowman has made it clear that the goalie carousel has stopped spinning.
“We have our guys,” Bowman said. “Now it’s time to push forward.”
For years, Oilers fans have watched their Cup dreams melt away due to shaky goaltending. With the dual acquisition of Joseph Woll and Ilya Samsonov, that narrative may finally be changing.
It’s bold. It’s unexpected. And it’s exactly the kind of high-risk, high-reward move that could define the Bowman era in Edmonton.
If either Woll or Samsonov seizes the moment and becomes a playoff wall, this could be remembered not just as a smart offseason move—but as the moment the Oilers finally solved their biggest riddle
