Edmonton Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner's recent comments about his performance have sparked debate about his future with the team. Skinner's candid remarks, made amidst a season of inconsistent play, have inadvertently intensified scrutiny on his role as the Oilers' long-term starting goalie.
Skinner stated, "My job is to stop the puck, whether people like it or not. If I'm at the top of my game, we always have a chance to win; if I'm not, there's a good chance we're losing. That's every goalie in the league". While his sentiment is factual, it arrives at a time when the Oilers are striving for Stanley Cup contention, magnifying the impact of every game.
The Oilers' coaching staff and management have often defended Skinner, even during periods of struggle. Following a loss to the Washington Capitals, Coach Kris Knoblauch remarked, "We don't give 'Stu' much help... You look at these nights where Stu is giving up a lot of goals and you're thinking it's on the goaltending, but we're not making the game easy for him". Despite these defenses, Skinner's comments suggest he believes he should perform well enough to compensate for the team's defensive shortcomings.
Skinner further emphasized the importance of timely saves and wins, stating, "It really doesn't matter what's going on, it just matters if you're able to make a save at the right time… wins are all that matters". This places significant pressure on Skinner, particularly when the Oilers need him to "steal games" amid defensive lapses.
Skinner's performance this season reflects a mix of factors. While he has demonstrated flashes of brilliance, his inconsistency has been a concern. As of November 21, 2025, Skinner's record stands at 7-6-3 with a 3.00 goals-against average and an .882 save percentage in 16 starts. His high-danger save percentage is .758, below the league average of .810. In his last two starts, he has allowed nine goals on 47 shots. On November 20, 2025, Skinner allowed four goals on 19 shots in a 7-4 loss to the Capitals.
General Manager Stan Bowman has expressed confidence in Skinner, highlighting instances where he was instrumental in securing wins, such as the 2-0 shutout against the New York Rangers on October 14 and the 4-3 overtime victory against the Carolina Hurricanes on November 15.
Throughout his NHL career, Skinner has a 105-60-17 record with a 2.75 GAA and a .904 save percentage in 190 games. He signed a three-year, $7.8 million contract with the Oilers in December 2022. Despite these figures, fans have voiced concerns about a perceived double standard in how the Oilers handle Skinner compared to other goalies, referencing Jack Campbell's situation.
Skinner's inconsistencies were also evident in the previous season and playoffs. Over 51 regular-season games in 2024-25, he posted a 26-18-4 record with a 2.81 GAA and a .896 save percentage. During the playoffs, he briefly lost his starting role to Calvin Pickard, and his performance wavered, concluding with a .889 save percentage across 15 games.
Ultimately, the Oilers face a critical decision. They must determine whether to continue relying on Skinner's potential or seek an upgrade in net to bolster their chances of winning the Stanley Cup. As the trade deadline approaches, the pressure on both Skinner and the Oilers' management will intensify.
