Top Oilers insider reveals when team will consider making major goalie trade
Photo credit: Perry Nelson - Imagn Images
The Edmonton Oilers' goaltending is still the biggest point of consternation on the roster, and the team could finally consider making a major upgrade in trade.
Top Oilers insider Ryan Rishaug recently revealed that management has officially put Stuart Skinner on notice this year, and will move him if he doesn't show significant improvement. Now, there's a concrete timeline.
Edmonton Oilers will make goaltending trade decision by January, says insider
Recently, Oilers insider Ryan Rishaug clarified his report on the team potentially moving on from Skinner - and provided a January as their timeline for evaluation.
They're going to see what happens in the AHL with Ingram, that's a possibility. In the meantime, Stuart Skinner.
How's he responding to this new coach, how's he responding to a different body makeup, how's the mobility look? Does it look like he's ready to take a step?
And if by December or January it doesn't look like Skinner's ready to take a step - [Stan Bowman] is going to have no choice.
- Ryan Rishaug
How's he responding to this new coach, how's he responding to a different body makeup, how's the mobility look? Does it look like he's ready to take a step?
And if by December or January it doesn't look like Skinner's ready to take a step - [Stan Bowman] is going to have no choice.
- Ryan Rishaug
Currently, Skinner's sitting at a .900 save percentage through his first 9 games. That's a decent number, and just about league average - but he's still been far too inconsistent.
After McDavid gave the Oilers a major contract discount, Edmonton needs to do everything possible to improve their roster for the playoffs. Entering another postseason with so much uncertainty in net isn't an option anymore.
The next few months will be incredibly important to Skinner's career, and the Oilers playoff tandem. He'll either sink or swim, and only time will tell.
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