Stuart Skinner's Struggles in Oilers Net Reaching a Boiling Point: Could a Trade Be Possible?

PUBLICATION

Liam McCormick
November 13, 2024 (1:19 PM)

SHARE THIS STORY

11 games into the Oilers season, Stuart Skinner is still ranking among the worst goaltenders in the NHL, and one hockey analyst is now suggesting a goalie trade for Edmonton.

Edmonton is rising in the league's power rankings again, but Scott Maxwell of Daily Faceoff believes that the Oilers will need a stronger goalie tandem to get back to the Cup Final.

»I wouldn't go so far as to say that they need a better goalie than Skinner, but they at least need a better one than Calvin Pickard. Skinner seems better suited for a 1A/1B tandem than getting 60 starts as a starter, and Pickard isn't a 1B type of goalie. Give Skinner a capable tandem partner (you know, like what Jack Campbell was expected to be), and I think he'll be capable of taking them back to the Finals.»
- Scott Maxwell

It's interesting to bring up the contract of Jack Campbell when discussing Skinner's struggles. The Oilers clearly believed that Skinner needed a more veteran goalie around him, but since that contract failed so badly, Skinner was given the crease and ran with it.

Perhaps the Oilers do see value in acquiring an established goaltender to run alongside Stuart Skinner. The Oilers starter is just in a rut right now and he will likely improve, but there's still some reason for the Oilers to hedge their bet.

There's some real concerns signs emerging in Skinner's game that cast real doubt on whether he can be a starting goalie. Goalie analyst Steve Valiquette recently revealed that Skinner has the worst lateral movement in the NHL, and that's a skill so important that it makes him a heavily below average goalie.

Skinner's struggles are evident when looking at the results for the Oilers too. The penalty kill has been producing positive analytics, but the save percentage is making it the worst penalty kill in the league. Skinner has -7.6 goals saved above expected rating, third worst in the NHL. His save percentage overall after 11 games is a nearly unplayable .881.

Last night against the New York Islanders, the Oilers barely eked out an overtime win in a game that they dominated. Some poor goals against led to forcing overtime, and it's been costing the Oilers points so far this season. Hopefully Skinner can bounce back, otherwise, a trade for a goalie may become a necessity.