NHL Rumors: Stuart Skinner’s Time with the Oilers May Be Coming to an End
While the 26-year-old has never been a model of consistency, his struggles down the stretch in 2024-25 have raised serious concerns about his ability to provide reliable goaltending for a team with Stanley Cup aspirations.
Through the first two games of the opening playoff round, Skinner has been shaky, surrendering 11 goals on just 58 shots for an .810 save percentage (SV%).
Though the Oilers’ defensive coverage and penalty kill have been poor, Skinner hasn’t been able to compensate with key saves. Now, his status as the starter for Game 3 is in serious doubt.
Pickard Warrants an Opportunity
Skinner’s playoff struggles are nothing new—last year, he faltered against the Los Angeles Kings and the Vancouver Canucks before Calvin Pickard stepped in and helped the Oilers rally to win the series.
While Pickard isn’t an elite NHL netminder, he has been steady in his two seasons with Edmonton. In 36 appearances this year, he posted a 2.71 goals-against average (GAA) and a .900 SV%, outperforming Skinner’s 2.81 GAA and .896 SV%.
Given his regular-season reliability and his clutch play in last year’s postseason, Pickard deserves a chance—especially before the Oilers risk falling into an insurmountable 0-3 series deficit.
Skinner’s Future in Edmonton Looks Uncertain
Regardless of how the rest of the playoffs unfold, it’s clear the Oilers will be searching for a new starting goaltender next season. Skinner has had ample opportunity to prove himself as a true No. 1, but his performance has declined, and his playoff shortcomings suggest he isn’t cut out for the role.
While he could still serve as a capable backup, his time in Edmonton may be over. With limited cap space, the Oilers might need to move Skinner’s $2.6 million cap hit to acquire a more proven starter.
Trade Market Value for Skinner
Despite his inconsistencies, Skinner would hold appeal for teams in need of goaltending depth. He has shown flashes of strong play and could thrive in a tandem role, particularly with a manageable cap hit.
While the return wouldn’t be massive, the Oilers shouldn’t need to retain salary or attach additional assets to move him.
Given how quickly things can change in the playoffs, Skinner may have already played his final game for the Oilers. If Pickard gets the nod for Game 3, Wednesday’s loss could mark the end of Skinner’s tenure in Edmonton—a team that can no longer afford uncertainty in net.
Image - Kirby Lee-Imagn
