Oilers’ latest trade: “not the significant acquisition Connor McDavid had been hoping for”

On Wednesday, the Edmonton Oilers traded with the Utah Mammoth for goalie Connor Ingram in a low-risk, potential high-reward transaction. Especially since it cost them barely nothing.

However, Michael Amato of Sportsnet is honest when he states that the move is “albeit not the significant acquisition some fans (and maybe even Connor McDavid) had been hoping for.”

It is certain that Amato is right in the sense that Ingram has to show what he’s capable of. Ingram missed the end of the 2024-25 campaign while tending to a personal matter, but he was cleared to return to on-ice activities in mid-August. The National Hockey League and National Hockey League Players Association’s Player Assistance Program even released an official update on the status of Ingram, stating that he had once again been cleared to return to play in the NHL.

It has not been easy for Ingram, who has openly shared his ongoing struggles since he came into the NHL and with the recent unexpected loss of his mother to breast cancer, and a fresh start seems to be exactly what he needs.

Ingram had shined in goal over the past few seasons as a member of the Arizona Coyotes, but his play saw a significant decline during the 2024-25 NHL regular season. Ingram recorded a 3.27 goals against average and a .882 save percentage over just 22 games last season, by far the worst stretch of play across his entire NHL career.

It’s time for a new leaf in Edmonton, but the transaction might have discouraged McDavid, who remains in negotiations with the Oilers on a new contract.

As we know, the focus is on McDavid’s comfort and vision for the team moving forward. He wants clarity on Edmonton’s future, what the roster will look like beyond this season, and the best path toward a Stanley Cup. After back-to-back losses in the Final to the Florida Panthers, the sting of falling just short still pains the captain. McDavid has been transparent with the media about his priorities: winning in Edmonton and ensuring any extension aligns with both his personal goals and the team’s long-term vision.

And so, it’s understandable that the Oilers going for Ingram, instead of a bigger name like John Gibson or Spencer Knight, when it was still possible this summer, could be tough to swallow.

But, like Amato, I prefer to stay optimistic about Ingram and what he can do for the Oilers. And McDavid.

“There could easily be a scenario where Ingram is starting playoff games for Edmonton seven months from now. He has the talent to earn that position, he just has to find it again.”