Stuart Skinner was a contentious figure amongst Edmonton Oilers fans during his time as the team’s starting goalie. On one hand, we had a homegrown, hometown kid tending the crease for the team. A perfect storybook tale. He, at times, showed incredible promise behind this team and helped guide them to two consecutive Stanley Cup Final appearances. On the other hand, he was never quite able to elevate his game to the next level to become someone who could regularly make momentum changing saves. It was often difficult for him to even make some of the routine saves. The consistency of his game was always in question, and we never quite knew which version was going to show up in any given game.
After many attempts and a long runway to allow him to grow, the Oilers finally decided to part ways with him last December in a trade with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Now, as the free agency period opens this morning, we have learned that Skinner has moved on from the Penguins and will be joining the Winnipeg Jets. The former Oilers goalie signed with the Jets for two years with an AAV of $3.75M.
Skinner’s time with the Oilers
Originally a third-round pick back in 2017, Skinner spent nearly a decade within the Oilers’ system. He worked his way up all three levels of the organization, spending time in the ECHL and AHL over four years before finally becoming an NHL regular in 2022–23, with a 50-game rookie season that saw him nominated for the Calder Trophy as the league’s top rookie.
Over the next three years, Skinner’s statline did not progress as one would have wanted from a developing goalie, although he did perform more than well enough to guide the Oilers to lengthy winning streaks early in former head coach Kris Knoblauch’s tenure, some of the most successful regular seasons in franchise history, and three consecutive deep playoff runs featuring a Conference Finals loss and two Stanley Cup Final losses.
Skinner will always hold a special place in Oil Country with his easygoing demeanour and legendary moustache. And we hope to see continued success for him with Winnipeg!
