Top NHL analyst reveals shocking projection for Stuart Skinner next contract

Skinner is set to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season, and at 26 years old with significant playoff experience behind him, he'll be worth a considerable raise on the open market. The Oilers will have to make a huge decision to pay up for him, or let him walk.

According to experts at Evolving Hockey have shared new projections for Skinner's value on the open market - and it's a number almost unbelievable for a goalie who's lost the crease in two straight playoffs.

Now 26 years old, Skinner is one of the younger starting goalies in the NHL and will hit free agency with over 200 games and significant playoff experience and a .906 career save percentage behind him.

With the rising salary cap, Skinner may very well command a raise to $6.8M on the open market - but the Oilers can't afford to pay that much to a goalie that's shown to be unreliable in the playoffs.

Simply put, the Oilers will have to look for goaltending help elsewhere at the conclusion of this season, unless Skinner takes a major discount. If Stuart Skinner is commanding that amount of salary, he'll be playing in his final year of the Edmonton Oilers. We'll have to see how this season plays out for Skinner.