Oiler 2024-25 Report Card: Stewart Skinner – Hockey Writer – Edmonton Oiler
With offseason results, so are the Edmonton Oilers players. The last transcript ranks Jeff Skinner and now we will evaluate Stuart Skinner. Skinner is a polarizing figure in the oil country, and many fans have been clamoring that the 26-year-old mesh was moved. He entered his final season of a three-year contract ($2.6 million cap) before becoming an unrestricted free agent (UFA). If he wishes to sign an extension that stays in Edmonton, he will need a rebound season.
The Edmonton native appeared in 51 games (50 games) with a record of 26-18-4, 2.81 goals average (GAA) and 0.896 percent savings (SV%) and closed with 3 times. This is his worst statistical season to date – he earned 0.913 SV% in 2021-22, .914 SV% in 2022-23 and .905 SV% in 2023-24. He has received a lot of unnecessary criticism considering his numbers have been above average throughout his career. But the Oilers fan base is expected to be perfect, which is not realistic. Skinner is flawed, but he is not a bad goalkeeper. He did not perform well last season but was able to improve. This is Skinner’s 2024-25 season.
Skinner’s inconsistency remains widespread
Skinner’s biggest flaw is inconsistency. In those 51 games, he scored 0.900 SV% or lower in 26 games, while in 13 games, level 13 or lower. He was also hit five times due to his injury. The differences in his game are shocking. His climax was great, but his lows kept him out of use.
Related: Oiler 2024-25 transcript: Calvin Pickard
He was great when he was locked, but his mental lapses proved to be expensive. In Game 6 of the Stanley Cup final, the Oilers dropped 2-0 in a must-win match, Skinner missed the goal, while Florida Panthers forward Sam Reinhart jumped on the rebound and scored the game 3-0 late in the second quarter. A lack of focus won’t happen, especially in games like this. Such mistakes can take away the team’s life, and the oiler did not respond. If Skinner will succeed in the NHL, consistency needs to be found.
Over the past decade, the Oilers finally have a new goalkeeper coach. Peter Aubry will replace Dustin Schwartz. Hopefully the move will help Skinner find his game because the team needs it.
Skinner’s overall results
Skinner can have a hot streak in the Oilers’ historic 16-game winning streak, just like in January 2024. Unfortunately, this hot streak never happened last season. He fell more than UPS and never found a continuous rhythm. As a result, backup goalkeeper Calvin Pickard had a starting point that exceeded expectations and outperformed the starter. Skinner is below average, and his grades reflect that. He got one In his regular season.
He was even worse in the playoffs. He won seven games and scored 2.99 GAA and .889 SV% behind closed doors with 3 attempts. These numbers prove his inconsistency. He is either terrible or great. There is no between the two. He was ignited in Games 1 and 2 against the Los Angeles Kings, allowing 11 goals in 58 strokes, and was eventually replaced by Picard.
After an unbeaten Picard was injured, Skinner was forced to return to the net in the second round against the Vegas Golden Knights. Skinner lost his first game but later opened and closed the game to win the series. He also performed well in the Western Conference Finals against the Dallas Stars, posting three games in another game with a score of 0.960 SV%. Unfortunately, that’s where he peaked as he struggled in the Stanley Cup final, releasing SV% in 0.900 in his five games.
He started 15 games, with nine of which scored below 0.900 SV%, while also being eliminated in three games, including two in the Stanley Cup final. That’s not good enough, if he’s better off, the Oiler could win the Stanley Cup. so, He got D Participate in the playoffs. Despite finishing the finals in a back-to-back season, it was a back-to-back disappointing playoff game on the Oiler network, and that’s what he remembers.
Comprehensive, He got D+ For his season. He is inconsistent and unstoppable, and fans hope to upgrade in the 2025-26 net. Unfortunately, the goalkeeper market is thin and it looks like Skinner and Pickard will remain uniform this season, banning any unexpected and surprising moves.
Do you agree with this transcript? What would your performance last season give Skinner a rating? Continue to follow Hockey writer As we continue the Oiler player transcript throughout the offseason.
