Stuart Skinner's fate with Edmonton Oilers confirmed by NHL insider after Cup Final loss
The Edmonton Oilers lost another Stanley Cup Final in which there were serious questions about Stuart Skinner, but insider Mark Spector believes he will be back next year.
The Oilers ranked in the bottom third for every major goaltending statistic this season, but GM Stan Bowman put all his faith in Stuart Skinner. They won't make the same mistake again.
Edmonton Oilers insiders confirm goalie addition coming this offseason to help Stuart Skinner
According to new reports from multiple NHL insiders, the Oilers are leaning towards keeping Skinner next season, but bringing in another goalie to form a solid tandem with him.
Skinner finished the Stanley Cup Final with an .869 save percentage, nowhere near NHL average. His inconsistency led the starting goalie decision being a debate every game, even in the Final - something that no other contending team deals with.
On the whole, Skinner has vastly underperformed in the playoffs in his career. Next season, the Oilers desperately need to fill their need for more stability in the crease.
Skinner wasn't the sole reason the Oilers lost Game 6 or the Stanley Cup Final, but he just never provided the big save, the timely save, or the unlikely save - nothing to keep the team in a game when they needed it.
The Oilers see potential for Skinner to still improve, and don't want to give up on him yet. The Edmonton native is still only 26 years old on a cheap contract with significant playoff experience.
Perhaps he can take another step in the future, but the Oilers are done relying on him alone. It will come at the cost of a solid backup Calvin Pickard, but the Oilers will finally pursue another goalie capable of taking the starter's net.
| POLL | ||
JUIN 18|1831 ANSWERS Stuart Skinner's fate with Edmonton Oilers confirmed by NHL insider after Cup Final loss Do you think Stuart Skinner should be brought back next season? | ||
| Yes, still a good goalie | 732 | 40 % |
| No, done with him | 1099 | 60 % |
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