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Top NHL insider confirms locker room reason why Oilers traded Stuart Skinner
NHL insider Elliotte Friedman has confirmed that one of the reasons the Oilers traded Stuart Skinner was due to feelings from players inside the locker room.
Oilers fans have seen it play out frequently over the last three seasons. The team is playing well and in a close game - and then a weak goal against drains the life away from the players. You could see the Oilers visibly deflate at times, and now that's been confirmed as a real phenomena.
Elliotte Friedman confirms Oilers had some concerns about Skinner's play affecting locker room
On last night's edition of Saturday's Headlines, Friedman revealed that one of Oilers' management's concerns with Skinner was how the weak goals affected the psyche of their players.
Talking to some of the Oilers today is that Stuart Skinner - the moment it went bad or he had a rough game or anything like that, all the old questions and concerns came up.
And it was weighing on Skinner, it was weighing on the team, weighing on the organization. I think everybody here felt it was just time. I think ultimately Stuart Skinner would agree, it was just time. It was weighing on everybody too much.
- Elliotte Friedman
And it was weighing on Skinner, it was weighing on the team, weighing on the organization. I think everybody here felt it was just time. I think ultimately Stuart Skinner would agree, it was just time. It was weighing on everybody too much.
- Elliotte Friedman
Oilers analysts have seen the team's response to Skinner's weak performances all this season.
It's been noticeable that they could sulk in front of Skinner, and then suddenly dial up their play for Pickard.
As Friedman put it, the constant questions on their dubious goaltending just began to weigh on the entire organization, including the players.
For everyone involved, it was just time to move on. Now hopefully the Oilers should develop some actual confidence in their goaltender, and will be more free to play their game without the worry of a sudden downturn in the crease.