Young Edmonton Oiler deemed scapegoat for team's Stanley Cup losses
Photo credit: USA Today Sports
Much has been said about the Oilers' goaltending situation since losing in their 2nd-straight Finals, especially 26 year-old Stuart Skinner, who's received the bulk of the blame for the losses.
Not a day passes where Stuart is not written about, more so as his contract is set to expire July 1, 2026.
No other Oilers recent goaltender has taken the team deep into the playoffs - except for Stuart Skinner
Cam Talbot, Mikko Koskinen, Mike Smith and Jack Campbell, all former Edmonton goalies during the McDavid-Draisaitl era, have tried to backstop their team to a Finals berth - and all have failed.
«He's [Skinner] dealing with pressures that nobody else is dealing with,» former NHL goalie Devan Dubnyk, who spent the first five years of his career with the Oilers and now runs a goalie mentorship program called Dubnyk Development, told The Big Show this week. «That's part of the territory that you deal with in playing for a Canadian market. He's done a really, really impressive job of handling it.»
One of Stuart Skinner's criticisms is that, of goalies that have played at least 20 games last season, 38 had a better save percentage. But, in the last 2-seasons combined, only Florida's Bobrovsky has more playoff wins.
One of Stuart Skinner's criticisms is that, of goalies that have played at least 20 games last season, 38 had a better save percentage. But, in the last 2-seasons combined, only Florida's Bobrovsky has more playoff wins.
«Skinner's got more playoff experience than three-quarters of the league is ever going to have,» said Dubnyk, who added that Stuart Skinner is just hitting his prime, and will get better technically, often forgetting that he's only 26-years old.
And Calvin Pickard seems to compliment Skinner, who manged 7 wins and a 2.85 GAA as his replacement in last year's post-season.
"If you're going to get a backup goalie to replace Pickard, well that's tricky, too. it has to be somebody who is significantly better who is almost on par with Skinner that's going to be an option to take over. You don't just replace Pickard to replace Pickard, because what's the guy done for you. He's a great teammate. The guy loves him, they play hard in front of him and he was 7-1 in the playoffs as a backup goalie in the Stanley Cup final."
One thing is certain, however; Stan Bowman will not make a move in the goalie position, unless it's an obvious upgrade. So far, one hasn't been available.
| POLL | ||
16 HOURS AGO | 130 ANSWERS Young Edmonton Oiler deemed scapegoat for team's Stanley Cup losses All said and done, do you blame Stuart Skinner for Edmonton not having at least one Cup in the last two years? | ||
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