Edmonton Oilers Trade Stuart Skinner—Oil County, You Got What You Wanted
Well, it’s official. Edmonton’s hometown goalie, Stuart Skinner, is on his way to the Pittsburgh Penguins. Fifth all-time in wins for the Oilers, key in back-to-back Stanley Cup Final runs, and yet he’s the one leaving. For a lot of fans, this isn’t exactly shocking—Skinner had his rough patches, and the calls for a change in net have been growing louder for a while. But now that it’s done, it’s fair to ask: did the Oilers really improve, or just shuffle things around?
Did Skinner Really Deserve the Exit?
Let’s not forget what Skinner brought to the table. He may have had inconsistent stretches, but over his Oilers career he won 109 regular-season games, kept his goals-against average respectable, and put up a save percentage that hovered around league average or better. And in the playoffs? He appeared in 50 games as an Oiler, with a few memorable shutout performances.
Skinner wasn’t perfect, sure, but he often did the heavy lifting quietly. He stood firm in playoff moments, gave the team a chance to win on nights when nothing seemed to go right, and carried the pride of being an Edmonton kid in the crease. It’s hard not to feel like he was pushed out as the unwarranted scapegoat in Oil Country.
Coaching Shuffle and Organizational Change
Off the ice, the Edmonton Oilers organization has been moving pieces around that has left fans scratching their heads season after season. Regular coaching and GMs changes, for example. The team keeps tinkering, adjusting, experimenting—but it still feels like there’s no consistent plan, just constant change.
The Irony Isn’t Lost
And here’s the kicker: defenders who fumble pucks regularly remain, but Skinner—the hometown goalie—was the one to go. Fans (and some media) across Oil County got what they wanted in the short term: a change in net. But the replacement feels more like a sideways move than an obvious upgrade.
So go ahead, enjoy the trade and cheer for the fresh start. But don’t be surprised if a few months if some of that “glad he’s gone” turns into “maybe we should’ve kept him.” Skinner leaves a gap not easily filled, and Edmonton’s next chapter in goal will have to prove it was really worth it.
Question: Skinner out; Kulak out: Was it worth it Oilers fans? Let’s sit back and watch!