As the Edmonton Oilers play a hard-fought first-round playoff series against the Los Angeles Kings, goaltender Stuart Skinner became the topic of growing speculation.
After back-to-back shaky performances to start the series – allowing 11 goals on 58 shots for an .810 save percentage – Skinner was pulled in Game 2 in favor of backup Calvin Pickard. Pickard picked up wins in Games 3 and 4, and it’s tough to imagine Skinner gets back in should the Oilers find their stride with Pickard in the crease.
If Skinner continues to be the backup, it could be the beginning of the end for him in Edmonton.
Despite backstopping the Oilers to the Stanley Cup final just one year ago, Skinner hasn’t been a consistently reliable starter. Pickard, who appeared in 36 regular-season games and posted a .900 save percentage, has steadily earned the trust of the coaching staff. He may not yet be an NHL starter, but if the team continues to prefer him over Skinner, then that could make Skinner trade bait.
Allan Mitchell of The Athletic recently pointed out that either Skinner or defenseman Evan Bouchard could be trade chips this summer if the Oilers look to upgrade their goaltending or blueline. With new GM Stan Bowman inheriting a roster riddled with nine forms of no-trade clauses under contract next season, Edmonton may have to move core pieces with value and manageable contracts. Both players lack trade protection.
Bouchard may be too expensive to re-sign despite his elite offensive gifts. Skinner, signed at just $2.6 million through next season, isn’t expensive, but if he’s not “the guy,” it might be time to move on and get what the team can, looking around the market for what might be considered a step up.
In March, Bob Stauffer of Oilers Now said he believes the Oilers will address their goaltending in the summer.
Even if Pickard isn’t the long-term solution in net, his playoff workload could serve as proof he’s a solid 1B option. The Oilers will then look to find a proven 1A.
This could all ride on how the Oilers’ playoff run pans out. If they’re booted in the first or second round, Skinner may be among the first casualties of an off-season shakeup. If they go on a long run and Skinner plays again, finding his game in the process, he could save his place on the team while they try to remain a consistent Stanley Cup contender.
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