Ottawa Eyes Edmonton’s Connor Ingram as Goaltending Target in Free Agency

The Ottawa Senators are positioning themselves to land Edmonton Oilers goaltender Connor Ingram when free agency opens on July 1. With the Oilers seemingly unwilling to overpay to retain the 29-year-old, Ottawa sees a prime opportunity to upgrade its crease with a player who could step into a starting role.

Ingram, who spent the 2025-26 season with the Oilers after being acquired from the Utah Mammoth, posted a 2.75 goals-against average and a .914 save percentage in 41 games. He was the Oilers’ starter in the playoffs against the Anaheim Ducks, though Edmonton was eliminated in the first round. Oilers general manager Stan Bowman referred to Ingram as “a great depth option,” a label that suggests he lacks complete trust in the netminder.

Ottawa, meanwhile, is looking for a long-term solution after a season in which starter Linus Ullmark played just 47 games and backup James Reimer, 38, is contemplating his future. The Senators haven’t ruled out bringing Reimer back, but they know they need a more consistent presence behind the crease. Ullmark has never played more than 50 games in a season, and the backup role in Ottawa is expected to carry a workload of at least 35 games.

Veteran goaltender James Reimer, who was brought in with the club struggling to get saves in January, is still contemplating his future. He’s 38 years old, and the Senators haven’t closed the door on bringing him back, but know they need to stabilize the backup position behind Linus Ullmark.

Ingram’s timeline and recent performance make him a compelling target. After a season that included personal and mental health challenges, he showed signs of returning to form in Edmonton’s system. His 41-game sample in the NHL included a .914 save percentage, which is well above the league average.

The Oilers, eager to revamp their goaltending situation, acquired Tristan Jarry from the Penguins in the middle of the season but saw limited production from the 30-year-old before he was sidelined with injury. They also moved Darnell Nurse and other assets in an attempt to free up cap space to pursue a long-term solution in free agency.

Edmonton now has its eyes on names like Sergei Bobrovsky and Frederik Andersen, but both are older and carry risk. Retaining Ingram could be costly, especially with Ottawa’s interest. If the Oilers choose to let him walk, they may regret losing a goalie who was just beginning to find his rhythm.

The Oilers and Senators will be in a race for Ingram’s services, with the July 1 free agency deadline looming. Ottawa’s interest is clear, and Edmonton’s lack of commitment to retain him has opened the door. The next step is whether Edmonton will match the offer or let a key piece walk.