At some point, the Edmonton Oilers were going to have to make a move in the crease. Stuart Skinner had carried the load in some of the team’s most high-stakes moments, but the noise never really faded.
In a market where goaltending is always under the microscope, Skinner wasn’t just facing shots-he was facing expectations. One soft goal, one off night, and the conversation shifted.
That’s the life of a goalie in Edmonton.
So when Skinner was dealt to the Pittsburgh Penguins and Tristan Jarry came back the other way, it felt like a reset. A month later, the verdict is still forming-but we’ve seen enough to start connecting the dots.
Tristan Jarry: Early Returns Show Promise (Grade: B+)
Let’s start with the good. Since returning from injury, Jarry has stepped into the Oilers’ net and delivered signs of exactly what the team was hoping for.
In two games, he’s turned aside 54 of 58 shots, including a dominant 6-0 shutout win over the Canucks. That’s the kind of performance that can change the temperature in a game-and in a locker room.
Through 19 appearances, Jarry’s sitting at 13-3-2 with a .909 save percentage. On paper, that’s stability.
That’s what Edmonton needed. He’s giving the team a chance to win on most nights, and when you’ve got the kind of offensive firepower the Oilers do, that’s often enough.
But the B+ grade here reflects more than just the numbers. It’s about potential and consistency.
When Jarry’s healthy and locked in, he can handle the chaos in front of him. But when he’s not?
That’s when the cracks show. His health is the swing factor here.
If he stays upright and confident, this move could age well. If not, the Oilers may find themselves back at square one.
Stuart Skinner: A Reminder of What Was Let Go (Grade: A-)
Meanwhile, Skinner hasn’t disappeared quietly into the East. In fact, he’s looked like a goalie rediscovering his rhythm.
Over his last five starts in Pittsburgh, he’s gone 4-1-0 with a 2.42 goals-against average and a .901 save percentage. That’s not elite, but it’s solid-and it’s a reminder that Skinner still has something to give.
The A- grade here isn’t just about his performance in a Penguins sweater. It’s about what he represented in Edmonton: a homegrown talent who had already weathered the pressure cooker. There’s a fair question to ask-could Skinner have delivered the same results if Edmonton had shored up the blue line instead of shipping him out?
Watching him succeed elsewhere stings a bit. Not because he’s lighting the league on fire, but because he’s proving he can still be a dependable piece. The Oilers may have traded one question mark for another.
The Defence in Front Still Tells the Story (Grade: C)
Here’s where things get murky. Goaltending is never just about the goalie-it’s about the structure in front of him. And in Edmonton, that structure is still shaky.
Brett Kulak was a stabilizing force on the back end, and his departure as part of the trade has left a noticeable hole. The current blue line group is thinner, less consistent, and more prone to breakdowns. That puts added pressure on Jarry, who’s already managing his own health and adjustment period.
This is where the Oilers are feeling the most strain. The C grade isn’t about effort-it’s about results.
Right now, the defence is the soft underbelly of this team. And no matter who’s in net, that’s a problem.
The Big Picture: Still a Work in Progress
A month out from the swap, this trade doesn’t lend itself to a clean, one-sided verdict. Jarry has shown flashes of what the Oilers were banking on (B+).
Skinner is reminding everyone that he wasn’t the problem (A-). And the defence?
Still too leaky to ignore (C).
But the real story here isn’t just about numbers or grades. It’s about how much weight a goalie carries in Edmonton-not just physically, but mentally. It’s about staying healthy, staying sharp, and handling the nightly pressure that comes with backstopping a team with Stanley Cup aspirations.
For now, the Oilers have a new name in net. But the challenge is the same: keep the puck out, keep the confidence up, and hope the defence holds together long enough to make it all matter.
If Jarry can stay on the ice and in rhythm, this trade might just tip in Edmonton’s favor. If not, they may find themselves missing the guy they let go.