Following his trade to the Pittsburgh Penguins, Stuart Skinner appears to have taken a subtle jab at the Edmonton Oilers and their fanbase in a recent interview. Skinner, who spent years playing for his hometown team, was traded to Pittsburgh in exchange for Tristan Jarry, Brett Kulak, and a draft pick.
In an interview with Penguins reporter Kelsey Surmacz, Skinner's comments seemed to hint at a sense of relief and a more positive environment in Pittsburgh. "Yeah, it feels great. Definitely a big difference in terms of, kind of, the feelings," Skinner stated. He elaborated, "I think here, it's honestly just a great feeling. I feel like everyone's really rooting for you and is really 'all together.' It feels like Pittsburgh is one big family, and we're a very united city".
Skinner further emphasized the stark contrast in team atmosphere, saying, "But just the whole feeling around this room, it's been nothing but positive here. It's been really, honestly – again – just family-oriented. It's just been really enjoyable, and I already kind of forget what it was like in Edmonton". These remarks suggest Skinner may have felt a lack of unity or overwhelming negativity during his time with the Oilers.
The Oilers fanbase, known for its passionate and often critical nature, frequently scrutinized Skinner's performance, especially during crucial games. This scrutiny intensified after an 8-3 defeat to the Dallas Stars where Skinner allowed four goals on eight shots. Skinner, when asked about the constant criticism, responded, "It's happened a lot here...It's I think it happens anywhere around the league. Goalies need to come up with big saves at big times. I'm not really too sure how much I can really say on that either. It's kind of just part of the game of being a goalie".
Despite the criticism, Skinner had previously expressed his desire to remain with the Oilers, stating, "Of course. Yeah. I mean, I want to be in the NHL. Everybody keeps all these fans keep yelling, 'We need a better goal! We need a bigger goal!' Yeah, sure". He acknowledged the difficulty of playing under such pressure but maintained, "But you want to be here even though you're taking all this? Yeah. It is what it is. Again, I can't really control what the fans are saying".
Since joining the Penguins, Skinner, who is in the final year of a three-year, $7.8 million contract, has recorded a 3-4-0 record with a 2.34 goals-against average and a .899 save percentage in seven starts. While these numbers aren't outstanding, he seems to have found a more comfortable environment in Pittsburgh. The Penguins, with lower expectations compared to the Stanley Cup-contending Oilers, offer a different atmosphere for Skinner to develop.
It remains to be seen whether the trade will ultimately benefit both Skinner and the Oilers. However, Skinner's recent comments indicate a significant shift in his perspective and a newfound appreciation for a supportive team environment.
