According to an insider, Stuart Skinner might be able to help the Oilers strengthen their goaltending for the upcoming campaign.
Stuart Skinner arrived in Edmonton in 2020 and has logged over 10,000 NHL minutes for the Oilers, making him one of the club’s most durable netminders—currently sitting within franchise all‑time top‑5 in minutes played and goals‑against average. Alongside Calvin Pickard, Skinner formed a budget tandem with a combined cap hit of just $3.6 million per season—a cost‐effective approach for Edmonton’s front office (. But the real question: can he be the long‑term solution between the pipes, or at least serve as a stabilizing force while the Oilers shore things up in goal?
Throughout the 2024‑25 regular season, Skinner posted a .895–.900 save percentage range across 48 starts, paired with a goals‑against average (GAA) hovering around 2.81–2.84 While these numbers aren’t awful, his inconsistency was a recurring issue. He had 26 games with a sub‑.900 SV% (13 of those below .850), and was pulled five times during the season due to performance or injury A closer look reveals a sharp dropoff vs elite teams: a .871 SV%, 3.49 GAA, and a 2‑7‑3 record against top‑10 opponents in the league ). That’s precisely the type of performance that is worrisome when you’re chasing deep playoff success.
Drafting goalies resilient under pressure matters, and while Skinner had periods of brilliance—like his outings in the Western Conference Final where he posted three games above .960 SV% and a shutout—his performances in the Stanley Cup Final were uneven. In the Final, he posted an .891 overall postseason save percentage across seven games and was pulled in two contests
Edmonton entered the 2024–25 playoffs with Pickard hot off his strong March form, but once Pickard was hurt, Skinner returned and delivered back‑to‑back shutouts in the second round, helping propel the Oilers through the conference (Reuters). That run amplified the argument that Skinner can deliver under extreme pressure. Yet, by the Stanley Cup Final, his form had dipped again: a .891 SV% in six starts, with one particularly glaring rebound error that led to a demoralizing goal in Game 6 . Despite the loss, Skinner’s playoff record stood at 7‑6 with a 2.99 GAA
NHL insider Pierre LeBrun has repeatedly stated that Edmonton does not believe there is a clear upgrade available on the trade market over Skinner. While names like John Gibson have surfaced as options, the organization isn’t convinced he would significantly outperform Skinner, in part due to Gibson’s salary and asset cost ( LeBrun emphasized that goaltending “isn’t a priority” for GM Stan Bowman at the trade deadline, and that defenses and other needs were being targeted first
That said, other voices—including columnist David Staples and TV analyst Ray Ferraro—have questioned whether redeploying the same duo again would be wise. Ferraro bluntly said: “I don’t think you can go back with the same goaltending” for the 2025–26 campaign, explicitly naming Skinner and Pickard as potentially being replaced . Shortly after the Cup loss, Bowman himself acknowledged the roster wouldn’t return intact, signaling changes that could include swapping out the goaltenders
At the trade deadline, sources including Oilers Now’s Bob Stauffer noted that Edmonton was planning to bring in another experienced goalie to compete with Pickard for backup responsibilities—while Skinner was expected to retain his role for now . Reddit fans echoed this sentiment: “They’re gonna bring in a 1B goalie this summer to challenge back‑up Calvin Pickard,” while noting “we’re not getting rid of Skinner” outright
From the insider snapshot, Skinner remains the baseline for Edmonton: a cost‑effective starter who has won them major games and is viewed as good enough given limited available upgrades. There’s no push to trade him immediately, but there is intent to bolster depth behind him. This model frames Skinner as a pivot—a known quantity—while the team searches for a real “1B” or even a competing 1A netminder in free agency or via trade.
An upgrade partner like John Gibson or Karel Vejmelka might not displace Skinner outright, but could take pressure off and stand as insurance when Skinner falters or faces top competition. Many analysts argue that even if Skinner can perform at peak levels sporadically, the Oilers need steadier help behind him to mitigate his inconsistency against elite offensive teams
There are several reasons why the Oilers haven’t completely moved on:
- Cap efficiency: Skinner and Pickard carry minimal cap load, freeing up space for defense or depth upgrade
- Playoff moments: Despite his flaws, Skinner stepped up in key games, such as the shutouts in the second round and stellar Western Conference Final outings Lack of clear, better alternatives: Pierre LeBrun asserts there is no surefire trades-available goalie who clearly outperforms Skinner enough to justify the cost
What next for Edmonton?
In the upcoming offseason, insiders expect Edmonton to take the following approach:
- Add a veteran “1B” goalie—someone with NHL experience who can challenge Pickard for backup duties or serve as steady competition behind Skinner
- Retain Skinner as the incumbent starter—assuming he’s healthy and enters next season under improved coaching (new goalie coach Peter Aubry is onboard) .
- Re-evaluate after training camp and early season form—the plan may adapt if Skinner regresses again, or if the new goalie outperforms expectations.
- Reserve big trades for defense over net—Bowman’s stated priority has been fixing the defense even as fans cry for goalie upgrades
Yes—according to insiders, Stuart Skinner could indeed help the Oilers strengthen their goaltending, but not by being the lone savior. Instead, he’s seen as part of the solution: a cost‑controlled experienced starter who can anchor the position while the team adds support and optionality behind him. If Skinner stays consistent and sharper—especially against elite opponents—he can legit reduce fears and carry Edmonton back into championship contention.
However, if his inconsistency resurfaces and the backup system doesn’t inspire confidence, Edmonton appears willing to push beyond him later in the year. The insider line is clear: they’re not ready to dismiss Skinner just yet, but they’re not standing pat either.
Let me know if you’d like player comparisons, trade targets, or breakdowns of potential backup options.
