The Edmonton Oilers are at the center of another goaltending debate as fans express frustration and concern over the performance of their starting goalie, Stuart Skinner. After backstopping the team through the 2024 playoffs, including significant games against the Dallas Stars and Florida Panthers, Skinner's recent outings have caused many to question his consistency.
During the Oilers' recent clash with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Skinner faced significant criticism after allowing three goals during the first period. While one of the goals could be attributed to a screen, two rebounds—deemed 'Kevlar rebounds' by many fans—were seen as manageable and raised eyebrows about his performance levels. Fans are split; some support Skinner, hoping the team will stick with him and address other weaknesses, whereas others advocate for seeking out alternative goaltending options.
Under head coach Jay Woodcroft, and with the help of Kris Knoblauch's strategies aimed at improving the Oilers' defensive game, the team's ability to suppress scoring chances has noticeably improved since the coaching duo took over. They shifted the focus to faster breakouts and securing the middle of the ice, with the intention of reducing goals against. These coaching improvements help reduce the overall Goals Against (GA-60) for the team, making the performance of the goalie even more public fodder for feedback.
Stats shows the Oilers have improved their five-on-five game, including effective defense leading to more favorable goaltending numbers. Skinner, for his part, ranked 11th among active goalies with respect to his five-on-five save percentage from November 23 to February 3, proving he can deliver solid performances when operating under less pressure.
General manager Stan Bowman faces the precarious task of finding adequate backup—or possibly even replacement—for Skinner. The challenge arises partly from the tandem's current cap hit, which totals just $3.6 million, leaving limited flexibility. If Bowman opts to explore available options before the trade deadline, he must either trade for someone of equivalent cap value or dedicate most of the limited funds to securing a new number one goaltender.
Yet finding someone definitively ‘better’ than Skinner presents its own challenges, not just from budgetary restrictions but also from the unpredictable nature of goaltending itself. The case of Laurent Brossoit, who was performing well until injury opened the door for backup Adin Hill's surprising run during the 2023 playoffs against the Oilers, reminds fans and management alike of how quickly fortunes can change. The range of possible outcomes means the Oilers must take measured risks—should they decide to move Skinner, they could find themselves regretting the choice.
To add another layer of complexity, there's scant availability of goalies who would be seen as upgrades floating around. While players like Jordan Binnington remain enshrined with their teams, Karel Vejmelka from the Utah Hockey Club stands out with reasonable salary and unrestricted free agency status lining up soon. Fans are left dusty and uncertain, with sentiments echoing through discussions about whether Skinner remains the best option under the current circumstances.
So, if you're part of the Oilers' supporter base, the dilemma is clear—stick with the homegrown talent who has proven capable of strong playoff outings, or pursue the unknown? The onus is on management, but with hope riding on Skinner’s burgeoning reputation, perhaps—just perhaps—patience could yield the payoff they need to chase another Stanley Cup victory.