As Stuart Skinner enters the final year of his contract—carrying a modest $2.6 million cap hit—the Edmonton Oilers face a pivotal decision: should they make a long-term commitment to their homegrown netminder?
The answer isn’t clear-cut.
On one hand, Skinner’s .905 save percentage last season ranked behind 38 other NHL goalies who played at least 20 games. But on the other hand, over the past two postseasons, only Sergei Bobrovsky has more playoff wins than Skinner. That stat alone raises the stakes in evaluating his future.
A Complicated Goaltending Legacy in Edmonton
Goaltending in Edmonton has long been a sore spot, with names like Cam Talbot, Mikko Koskinen, Mike Smith, and Jack Campbell failing to deliver postseason success. Skinner, however, has taken the team to consecutive Stanley Cup Finals—something no other Oilers goalie has done in decades.
“He’s dealing with pressures that nobody else is dealing with,” said former Oilers goaltender Devan Dubnyk on The Big Show this week. “That’s part of playing in a Canadian market. He’s done a really, really impressive job of handling it.”
Skinner may not be a Vezina contender, but at just 26 years old, he’s entering his prime. “We forget how young he is,” Dubnyk added. “It feels like he’s been there a long time, but he’s just getting into the peak years of his career.”
A Rocky but Resilient Playoff Run
The 2024 playoffs were a mixed bag for Skinner. He struggled early—allowing 11 goals in the first two games of the first-round series against the Kings and eventually losing the net to backup Calvin Pickard, who was sensational in relief.
Yet when Pickard suffered an injury in the second round, Skinner responded. He recorded back-to-back shutouts against Vegas and allowed just 10 goals in five games against Dallas. In the Final, however, the Oilers again fell short, losing 4-2 to Florida.
“Do you know how easy it would have been to fold the tent there?” Dubnyk said. “To come in with all the pressure, after being benched, and deliver back-to-back shutouts—that’s an impressive feat.”
The Case for Standing Pat (For Now)
Despite fan frustration and calls for a major move in goal, Edmonton has so far resisted the urge to make drastic changes. The team is currently set to return with Skinner and Pickard as its tandem.
“For fans, it’s frustrating because they wanted action,” Dubnyk admitted. “But you can’t just make a move to make a move.”
He pointed out that replacing Pickard isn’t easy. “If you’re going to bring someone in, it has to be a goalie who’s clearly better and can push Skinner. You don’t replace Pickard just to replace him. He’s a great teammate, the guys love him, and he was 7-1 in the playoffs. What more can you ask of a backup goalie? There’s not a goalie on the planet who gives you 7-1 in the playoffs.”
Still, Expectations Remain Sky-High
With superstars like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl in their prime, simply reaching the Final is no longer enough.
“I think they’ll do something to upgrade the goaltending,” Dubnyk said. “I hate to say that because I love Picks. But if they can find someone early in the season who can push Skinner, I wouldn’t be surprised.”
Bottom Line:
Skinner’s story is one of growth, resilience, and unfinished business. He’s shown he can carry the Oilers deep into the postseason—but whether he’s the long-term solution remains an open question. For now, Edmonton is betting on continuity. But with expectations higher than ever, the pressure to win—and to win now—is only growing.
