The Edmonton Oilers' recent Stanley Cup Final loss to the Florida Panthers has ignited a flurry of discussions about the team's future, with a significant portion of the focus landing on goaltender Stuart Skinner. While Skinner has shown flashes of brilliance, his overall performance, particularly in the Final, has led many to believe that a change of scenery would benefit both the player and the team.
Skinner's journey with the Oilers has been a rollercoaster. He transitioned from a relative unknown to the team's starting goalie in the 2022-23 season, posting a respectable 29-14-5 record with a 2.75 GAA and a .913 save percentage. He was even named a finalist for the Calder Trophy. However, consistency has been a persistent issue. While he backstopped the Oilers to the Stanley Cup Final just last year, his performance this season has been riddled with inconsistency, leading to questions about his long-term viability as a starter in Edmonton.
In the Stanley Cup Final, Skinner's struggles were magnified. While he had moments of brilliance, he also allowed soft goals and struggled with lateral movement, issues that the Panthers' offense exploited effectively. According to reports, Skinner's tactic of playing farther from the net and his difficulty in recovering to the net hindered his ability to defend against power plays and low- to medium-danger shots. Despite showing heroics against Dallas in the Western Conference Finals, he let three goals pass him in Game 6 against Florida.
The Oilers' management is now at a crossroads. General Manager Stan Bowman has acknowledged the need to re-evaluate the goaltending situation. While Bowman noted that you can't simply "go down to the corner and pick up an elite goalie," the reality is that the Oilers need more stability and consistency in net if they want to seriously contend for a Stanley Cup.
Several factors point towards a potential trade being the best course of action for Skinner. First, the pressure of playing in his hometown of Edmonton, where expectations are sky-high, may be hindering his development. A fresh start in a new environment could allow him to reset and rediscover his confidence. Second, the Oilers' need for a more reliable option in net could force their hand. While they've expressed confidence in Skinner, their actions suggest they may be exploring other options.
NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman said that he doesn't know if the Oilers are going to get another goalie to go with Skinner, or if they "move on," but they "have to end the uncertainty" in net. The Oilers have been linked to several goaltenders in trade rumors, including Thatcher Demko from the Vancouver Canucks and Jeremy Swayman from the Boston Bruins.
From Skinner's perspective, a trade could be a career-altering opportunity. He is still young and possesses considerable talent. A change of scenery could provide him with a chance to hone his skills in a less pressurized environment and establish himself as a true number-one goalie.
Several teams could be interested in acquiring Skinner. Teams looking for a young, promising goalie with upside would likely view him as a valuable asset. His reasonable contract, signed at $2.6 million through next season, would also make him an attractive option for teams with cap constraints.
Ultimately, the decision rests with the Oilers' management. However, considering Skinner's struggles, the team's need for a more reliable goaltending option, and the potential benefits of a fresh start for the player, trading Stuart Skinner appears to be a logical and necessary move. It would allow the Oilers to address their most pressing weakness while giving Skinner the opportunity to revitalize his career in a new environment.
