As the offseason rolls on, so do the Edmonton Oilers’ player grades. The last report card graded Tristan Jarry, and now we turn our attention to his goaltending partner, Connor Ingram.
The Oilers acquired Ingram from the Utah Mammoth at 41 percent retained for future considerations on Oct. 1. The netminder played 22 games for Utah last season, before entering the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program. He was cleared from that program on Aug. 20 and was actively seeking a fresh start, which he got in Edmonton. The Oilers were in desperate need of goaltending, so management took a chance on a bounce-back from him. Let’s take a deeper look at his 2025-26 season.
2025-26 Performance
Ingram started the season with the Bakersfield Condors in the American Hockey League (AHL), and he wasn’t good. In 11 games with the Condors, he posted a 4.04 goals-against average (GAA) and an .856 save percentage (SV%). Despite those putrid numbers, the Oilers called him up in December due to Calvin Pickard’s struggles. He made his Oilers’ debut on Dec. 21, a 4-3 win over the Vegas Golden Knights.
The 29-year-old netminder played 32 games (30 starts) with the Oilers, posting a 2.60 GAA and a .899 SV%, with two shutouts. He had a SV% over .900 in 17 of his starts, and he also registered two assists. He provided decent goaltending and eventually won the starting job from Jarry.
Unfortunately, he wasn’t good during the playoffs. He had a 3.86 GAA and a .876 SV% in five playoff games. He allowed 11 goals combined in Games 2 and 3, leading to a goalie change. Jarry started Game 4, but the Oilers went back to Ingram for Game 5, and he delivered his best game of the series, stopping 29 of 30 shots. But that was short-lived as he had an underwhelming Game 6, which ended Edmonton’s season.
Ingram had a great comeback story. As a result, he was the Oilers’ nominee for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy. He persevered through a difficult time and grinded in the AHL to get another NHL opportunity. That opportunity came, and he didn’t squander it. He wasn’t perfect, but he did his job.
Do the Oilers Re-Sign Ingram?
The Oilers have a huge decision to make this offseason. Do they re-sign Ingram? This is arguably the Oilers’ biggest offseason in franchise history, and they need to make the right decisions. While Ingram was by far the best Oilers goalie, he’s not under contract, while Jarry is. Jarry still has two years left with a $5.375 million cap hit. Unless they somehow find a new home for Jarry, it’s not likely they’ll bring Ingram back.
How much is Ingram going to cost? The goaltending free agent class is incredibly weak, so he will likely get paid more on the open market. The Oilers are in no position to overpay, given their salary cap situation. Last season was extremely disappointing, so the organization can’t risk running it back with a Jarry-Ingram tandem. They need to bring in a new goaltender, which likely leaves Ingram on the outside.
Overall Grade
The Oilers got consistently solid goaltending from Ingram. He wasn’t spectacular, but he was steady. He was a calming, level-headed presence in the crease. He looked under control for the most part and didn’t have erratic movements.
However, his rebound control needed work at times. The Oilers struggle to clear out the blue paint, so those rebounds often turn into second-chance opportunities. With a better defensive system, those rebounds would be cleared to the corners, and opponents would need to fight for the loose pucks in the dirty areas. The Oilers aren’t hard enough to play against, and that can be reflected in the goalie stats, because they give up too many quality chances.
With that said, he was completely adequate and didn’t hurt the team. Therefore, he gets a C+ for his season. If he had a better playoff performance, his grade would’ve been in the Bs.
Do you agree with this grade? Keep following The Hockey Writers as we continue the Oilers’ player report cards throughout the offseason.
Free Newsletter
Get Edmonton Oilers coverage delivered to your inbox
In-depth analysis, breaking news, and insider takes - free.
Subscribe Free →
