By the Numbers: #74 Stays the Same as Stuart Skinner is Traded from Oil Country to the Steel City
In the NHL, jersey numbers are usually just a bit of fabric, but for Stuart Skinner, the number “74” is part of a family tree. As the youngest of nine children, Stuart was the final piece of a mathematical puzzle; his three older brothers wore 71, 72, and 73, leaving number “74” (or 70) as his birthright.
Taking the Reins in Edmonton
Skinner’s rise to stardom was a masterclass in staying ready. When the Oilers signed Jack Campbell to a five-year contract, most expected Skinner to play second fiddle. But as Campbell struggled to hold the top spot, the homegrown Edmontonian stepped into the crease, and he ended up helping lead his hometown team to back-to-back Stanley Cup Final appearances in 2024 and 2025.
Cool Fact: In 2023, Stuart Skinner was selected to both the NHL All-Rookie Team & NHL All-Star Game.
Cool Fact: In January 2024, Stuart Skinner recorded his 11th consecutive win, beating the franchise record (10), which was held by Grant Fuhr.
The Shocking Trade to the Steel City
Despite helping to lead the Oilers to back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals, the hockey business can be famously cold. On December 12, 2025, the Oilers sent shockwaves through the league by trading their homegrown goalie and steady defenseman Brett Kulak (along with a draft pick) to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for Tristan Jarry and Samuel Poulin. It was the end of an era in Oil Country, but it marked the start of a high-stakes chapter in the Steel City.
GM Stan Bowman: The reason behind the trade: “it was time for something different”.
Finding the Magic in Pittsburgh
Although Skinner’s start in Pittsburgh was admittedly rocky, you just can't keep a goalie with that kind of pedigree down for long. Since finding his footing in January 2026, Skinner has been nearly unbeatable. Over his last five games, he has posted a dominant 4-1-0 record.
Cool Fact: Stuart Skinner is in the #5 spot on the Edmonton Oilers Most Goalie Wins list (109 wins in the Edmonton crease).
74: A Constant in the Crease
Today, as Stuart Skinner stares down shooters in a Pittsburgh jersey, the number “74” on his back serves as a reminder of where he came from. He went from the youngest in a family of nine children to an effective netminder in two of the league’s most iconic cities. Although the jersey changed colours, the grit and resilience behind the number “74” remains exactly the same.