Oilers at a Crossroads With Stuart Skinner
So, the conversation around the Edmonton Oilers right now seems to always circle back to one name: Stuart Skinner. As the season moves deeper and the pressure builds, his future with the team is being questioned almost daily. Every time the Oilers are mentioned in connection with another goalie, or whenever the team has a rough night, Skinner’s name immediately gets dragged into the rumor mill. At this point, it feels like the organization has to make a clear decision—either commit to him or prepare to move on.
Right now, Skinner and Calvin Pickard have essentially been operating as a 1B–1B tandem. It’s a system that can work temporarily, but clearly not one that’s going to keep the Oilers competitive in the long run. If the Oilers really want clarity, they need to treat Skinner like a true starter for a meaningful stretch. Instead of the usual rotation—one or two games each—they need to put him into a rhythm similar to what teams do with their real number ones. Look at Jake Oettinger in Dallas: he’ll start three or four straight before the backup gets a look. Skinner may not be Oettinger, but giving him that kind of responsibility would at least show what he can actually handle.
Also Read:- New Street Fighter Movie Ignites Hype With Action-Packed 2026 Teaser
- Kate Winslet Turns Grief Into a Powerful Story inGoodbye June
What’s frustrating is that the opportunity was right there recently. Skinner had back-to-back strong games—allowing only one goal combined against the Kraken and the Wild. That would’ve been the perfect moment to ride the hot hand. But instead, the coaching staff went back to Pickard in their next matchup with Seattle. Moments like that matter, especially for a goalie who can carry confidence through several games when he gets rolling. We saw it last postseason—when Skinner gets hot, he can be a difference-maker.
Meanwhile, the outside noise is only getting louder. Rumors, criticism from fans, trade speculation—it all adds pressure, and it’s almost impossible for a player not to feel it. That’s why the Oilers need to make a decision sooner rather than later. If they plan to trade him, doing so early would not only get them a better return, but also spare Skinner from weeks of unnecessary speculation. And if they don’t plan to move him, they should say that clearly and back it up by giving him more starts. That kind of confidence from the team can do wonders.
There’s also the practical side: if the Oilers are thinking about a trade or even recalling someone like Connor Ingram from the AHL, they’ll need time to integrate a new goalie into the system. Chemistry between a goalie and the defense doesn’t form overnight. And with the Oilers still chasing another deep playoff run, they can’t afford to let uncertainty linger.
In the end, it all comes back to one point: the organization needs to settle the goaltending question. Skinner is at the center of that decision, and until the Oilers make a firm call, the pressure around him—and around the team—is only going to grow.
Read More:
0 Comments