Penguins goalie Stuart Skinner has created some chatter as a trade candidate. Which teams could make sense as landing spots for him?
Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Stuart Skinner has found himself entering the rumor mill with the 2026 NHL trade deadline right around the corner. Teams looking for depth between the pipes could consider targeting Skinner, as he has plenty of playoff experience due to his time with the Edmonton Oilers.
Due to this, let's look at two teams that could consider targeting Skinner if the Penguins end up shopping the pending unrestricted free agent (UFA).
Anaheim Ducks
The Ducks stand out as a potential landing spot for Skinner. The Ducks could use an upgrade over Ville Husso for their backup role, and Skinner would provide them with just that if acquired. Petr Mrazek is also out for the season, so Anaheim would benefit by adding another netminder.
Furthermore, the Ducks are in a position to be buyers right now, as they are third in the Pacific Division standings with a 31-23-3 record and 65 points. While Skinner would not be the biggest of splashes for Anaheim, he would still improve their goalie depth, which is a clear need.
Ottawa Senators
The Senators could also make sense as a trade destination for Skinner. Backup goalie options like Leevi Merilainen, James Reimer, and Mads Sogaard have all struggled this season with the Senators, so it could make sense for Ottawa to take a chance on Skinner. Starter Linus Ullmark has had a tough season for Ottawa, as evidenced by his .884 save percentage in 31 games.
With the Senators needing to move up the standings to help their playoff odds, they should not be afraid to bring in a potential goalie upgrade like Skinner. He could form a nice tandem with Ullmark as the Senators look to keep their playoff hopes alive.