The Edmonton Oilers continue to be the team with the clearest struggle to be addressed this offseason. Their issues with the goaltending have been the most significant reason behind their back-to-back defeats in the Stanley Cup Finals.
Since the offseason started, Stan Bowman and the Oilers management have been trying to find a substitute for first-choice goalie Stuart Skinner. But so far, they have been unsuccessful.
And as per one analyst, this issue seems to remain their biggest Achilles’ heel.
Goaltending Continues To Be the Biggest Struggle for the Edmonton Oilers, As per One Analyst
While the Edmonton Oilers have been one of the most dominant teams these past few seasons, they have also been the one with the most obvious weakness. This was made all the more clear in their back-to-back appearances in the Finals.
The Florida Panthers, led by Sam Bennett and Sam Reinhart, put up multiple goals past Skinner to show just how weak the Oilers’ goaltending was. When second-choice goalie Calvin Pickard was brought in for Game 4, he, too, was dominated.
And on the recent episode of “TSN Overdrive,” analyst Travis Yost was pretty clear when he gave his remarks on the summer goaltending tiers. While the Islanders and the Rangers find themselves in tier-1, the Oilers sit firmly at tier-4.
Yost mentions, “Goaltending will be the Achilles’ heel of this team until further notice. Stuart Skinner has struggled too frequently in high-leverage spots over the last two seasons.” He mentions how Stuart Skinner’s breakout now seems like a distant memory.
He continues, “I anticipate Edmonton upgrades this position either in late summer or at the trade deadline, barring a miraculous turnaround.” Edmonton has already missed both of its top targets for a third-choice goalie.
While the Anaheim Ducks traded their primary target, John Gibson, to the Detroit Red Wings, their backup option, Jake Allen, was re-signed by the New Jersey Devils. For now, there doesn’t seem to be any clear option for the Oilers to improve their situation.
Yost continued, “The stakes are too high in the moment to stand pat.” And his comments are valid since Skinner let 19 goals past him across five playoff games against the Panthers with a GAA of 4.95. Not to mention his saving percentage was just .853.
MORE: ‘He’s Not Bobrovsky’ — Insider Offers Clarity on Oilers’ Plans for Stuart Skinner
Skinner’s issues with lateral movement, struggles with positioning, and inability to return to the net have already cost the $7.8 million goalie multiple clean sheets. His puck-tracking problems have also been utilized against him multiple times.
While the Oilers still have some time before the new season begins, they must come up with something before long if they want a serious shot at the Stanley Cup this time.
