Stuart Skinner’s Resilience Faces Another Test as Oilers Weigh Their Options
Stuart Skinner’s journey with the Edmonton Oilers has been anything but linear. From the thrill of a 16-game heater to the sting of losing his grip on the net in the postseason, Skinner’s time in Edmonton has been a case study in perseverance and volatility. And now, after another rough outing, the pressure is mounting once again.
Tuesday night against the Dallas Stars was a tough watch. Skinner gave up four goals on just eight shots in the first period before being pulled - his second early exit in less than a month.
His save percentage dipped to .878, and the frustration from fans was immediate and loud. That kind of performance, especially in a market as passionate as Edmonton, tends to spark trade chatter.
And it did.
Names like Jordan Binnington and Tristan Jarry started floating around, as fans and pundits speculated on possible replacements. But despite the noise, the Oilers aren’t biting.
According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, Edmonton isn’t interested in making a move just for the sake of change. They’ve taken calls, they’ve done their homework, but unless there’s a clear upgrade, they’re not pulling the trigger.
As Friedman put it, the Oilers are staying patient. “They are not going to do what they believe is a lateral move,” he said. “They would rather make no move than what they think would be a bad move or a panic move.”
And here’s the thing - we’ve seen this story before.
Skinner’s Been Counted Out Before
Rewind to the 2023-24 season. Jack Campbell had just been sent down to the AHL after a rough start, and the pressure fell squarely on Skinner’s shoulders.
At one point in November, his save percentage was sitting at .865, and his goals saved above expected was in the red. The Oilers were spiraling, and fans were calling for a shake-up in net.
But the front office stayed the course, and Skinner responded. The Oilers ripped off eight straight wins, and Skinner stabilized.
He ended the year with a .905 save percentage and helped backstop Edmonton all the way to the Stanley Cup Final. It was the kind of bounce-back that earned him another shot as the team’s starter.
Fast forward to the 2024-25 playoffs, and the roller coaster dipped again. Skinner struggled badly in the first round, giving up 11 goals in two games to the Kings and losing the crease to Calvin Pickard. At that point, it felt like his time in Edmonton might be over.
But just like before, the story flipped. Pickard went down with an injury in the second round, and Skinner stepped back in - and stepped up.
He posted three shutouts in five games and helped carry the Oilers to another Final appearance. It was a reminder of what he’s capable of when he’s locked in.
A Familiar Crossroads
Now, in the 2025-26 season, Skinner finds himself at another crossroads. His numbers have been inconsistent, and the leash is getting shorter. But the Oilers, led by GM Stan Bowman, appear willing to ride it out - at least for now.
Part of that is financial. Skinner’s $2.6 million cap hit is a bargain if he’s playing well, and that flexibility matters for a team with championship aspirations.
The goaltending market isn’t exactly brimming with sure things either. Most of the names out there come with their own question marks, and Bowman isn’t looking to burn assets on a sideways move.
Still, there’s a fair question to ask: is a change in net about more than just performance? The Oilers have struggled defensively all season, and it’s worth wondering if the uncertainty in goal is wearing on the rest of the roster. Whether it’s conscious or not, a lack of trust in the last line of defense can seep into a team’s overall confidence.
That’s the tightrope Edmonton is walking. They don’t want to overreact, but they also can’t afford to let another season slip away because of instability in the crease.
A Glimmer of Hope?
Amidst all the noise and speculation, Skinner may have started writing the next chapter of his redemption arc. On Saturday night in Seattle, he turned away all 26 shots he faced, posting a shutout that couldn’t have come at a better time.
It was vintage Skinner - calm, composed, and clutch. And if history tells us anything, it’s that when the pressure is highest, he tends to find his game.
The Oilers aren’t in panic mode. They’re willing to give Skinner the runway to prove, once again, that he can be the guy. But the clock is ticking, and every game from here on out feels like a referendum on his future in Edmonton.
This isn’t just another slump. It’s another defining moment in a career that’s already had more than its fair share. And if Skinner’s past is any indication, don’t count him out just yet.