Skinner and the Jets: Less Pressure & Different Role
There’s something fitting about Stuart Skinner landing in Winnipeg. He was always a bit of a hometown story in Edmonton. He was one of those players who genuinely seemed to enjoy being part of the Oilers’ world. The connection was real. The energy, the engagement with fans, the sense that he actually wanted to be there. In a league where that kind of thing gets talked about more than it probably should, Skinner was one of those guys people naturally liked.
The Oilers moved Skinner to the Pittsburgh Penguins.
But hockey careers don’t always stay aligned with sentiment. His time in Edmonton eventually hit the same wall many young goalies face in that market: expectations. The numbers dipped below .900 for a second straight season, and the job became less about growth and more about survival. The move to Pittsburgh didn’t really change the arc in a dramatic way either, but it did clarify something—Skinner is probably better when he’s not asked to be the guy every night.
Now he lands in Winnipeg on a two-year deal at $7.5 million, and the role is very different again. Behind Connor Hellebuyck, this is not a spotlight role. This is a support role. The kind of situation where a goalie can come in, play 20–30 games, and steal you a few nights without carrying the weight of the entire season on his shoulders.
And that’s where Skinner becomes interesting again.
Related: 5 Surprising Things About Jets' Dale Hawerchuk’s Rookie Season.
It raises a simple question: is Skinner better when he isn’t the starter?
Because when you strip away the pressure of being a No. 1, there is still a goalie here who can compete, who can settle games, and who—on the right nights—can absolutely give you more than expected. He’s not being asked to redefine a franchise anymore. He’s being asked to complement one.
There’s also a subtle irony in all of this. Edmonton may look back and wonder if the timing was slightly off—especially given how things unfolded with Tristan Jarry and the instability that followed. But that’s the nature of goalie decisions in the NHL. They rarely look clean in real time.
Skinner could be a solid backup goalie with the Jets.
Skinner, meanwhile, moves on again. He has a new team and a new role. But he brings the same reputation as a strong character guy who teammates like having around.
And maybe that’s the real thread here. He’s not really a storyline goalie anymore. He’s a role goalie now. And in Winnipeg, that might actually suit him just fine.