Stuart Skinner may be on the verge of another starting role in the NHL, and this time it could come sooner than expected.
The former Edmonton Oilers goalie landed with the Winnipeg Jets on a two-year deal worth a $3.75-million cap hit after a turbulent stretch that included an up-and-down run with the Pittsburgh Penguins and a first-round playoff exit against the Philadelphia Flyers. For now, the move looked like one designed to put him behind Connor Hellebuyck. That picture has changed fast.
Hellebuyck went public with a trade request last week, putting Winnipeg in a spot where its biggest name could be wearing a different sweater before the season even begins. If that happens, Skinner would be the next man up as the Jets’ starter.
That would be a major jump for the 27-year-old Edmonton native, but also a demanding one. Winnipeg is coming off a rough 2025-26 season after winning the Presidents’ Trophy in 2025 and then missing the playoffs last season, even with Hellebuyck in goal.
And the offseason hasn’t done much to change the outlook. The Jets have not made any major additions that would clearly boost their playoff chances, which leaves Skinner potentially inheriting a tough assignment if he ends up taking the crease full-time.
Still, there’s a case for him holding the job. Skinner finished last season with a 23-17-9 record and a strong +8.3 GSAx, even though his .888 save percentage leaves room for improvement. He’s not Hellebuyck, and nobody would pretend otherwise, but he could still give Winnipeg a workable answer if the trade request turns into a real departure.
If Skinner does become the starter, the first reunion with Edmonton would come quickly. The Jets are scheduled to visit Rogers Place on Jan. 17, which would give Oilers fans their first chance to see him back in town since the trade.
In Other News...
Connor McDavid Just Gave Oilers Fans A Different Reason To Believe
Connor McDavid has spent part of his summer training in Muskoka, Ont., and the story coming out of that work is less about skating drills or conditioning than the way he carried himself away from the rink. A mental health advocate and skills coach shared a personal account that painted McDavid as humble and steady in a setting where reputation usually gets built as much by small interactions as by highlight plays.
It arrives at an interesting time for Oilers fans, with summer training winding down and McDavid heading toward his 12th NHL season in Edmonton. Any fresh glimpse into his leadership matters because the conversation around him has not always been limited to points and trophies, and this latest reminder offers a different lens on what he brings to the room as the Oilers keep chasing the finish they want. [Read more 🡒]
Zach Hyman Faces An Oilers Question Fans Have Avoided
Zach Hyman has been one of the most reliable pieces of the Oilers forward group since signing his seven-year deal ahead of the 2021-22 season, and his value has been obvious in the way he has powered the offense year after year. The 54-goal breakout in 2023-24 cemented just how important he has become to Edmontons attack, giving the club a top-line threat who fits the style it wants to play.
The question now is less about what Hyman has meant than how long that level can hold. He has already dealt with a wrist injury in the postseason that carried over into the next year, and any conversation about his future has to account for the natural wear that comes with time and a tough injury history. For the Oilers, that makes his next stretch of seasons worth watching closely, even if the concern is still more projection than certainty. [Read more 🡒]
Oilers Face A Tough Blue Line Decision With Spencer Stastney
Spencer Stastneys spot on the blue line has become one of the quieter but more important roster questions for the Oilers as they sort out the defense picture for the 2026-27 season. Acquired from Nashville for a 2027 third-round pick, Stastney spent last season in Edmonton and appeared in 36 games, mostly in a third-pairing role, but his ice time was squeezed as the group around him got deeper and the team kept adding options.
Now the issue is less about what Stastney can do than where he fits. Edmonton is carrying a crowded defense group, and once the club trims the roster to its preferred mix, someone has to be moved out of the conversation. If Stastney does not crack the final group, the next step could force the Oilers into a difficult decision on whether to keep him in the organization or risk losing him in a more active market. [Read more 🡒]