The Ottawa Senators entered the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs with plenty of optimism after qualifying for the postseason for a second straight season. However, their excitement was short-lived as the Carolina Hurricanes swept them in the opening round.
Now, as the offseason begins, Ottawa is expected to look for roster upgrades, especially in goal, and one NHL insider believes the Senators could give a former Oilers player a fresh start.
Senators Linked to Ex-Oilers Goaltender
The player being linked to Ottawa is Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Stuart Skinner. Edmonton traded Skinner to the Penguins in December after he spent five seasons with the Oilers. Although his numbers in Pittsburgh were not outstanding, he still showed flashes of solid play during a difficult season for the team.
In Pittsburgh, Skinner finished with a 2.99 goals-against average and an .885 save percentage while wrapping up the final season of his three-year, $7.8 million contract. With the Penguins expected to focus on Artūrs Šilovs and younger goalies like Joel Blomqvist and Sergei Murashov, Skinner is likely headed for unrestricted free agency on July 1.
According to NHL insider Bruce Garrioch, Ottawa could become one of the top landing spots for the veteran netminder.
“The expectation is he won’t be back with the Penguins next season, and the belief is he will be among Ottawa’s top targets in free agency. Skinner made $2.6 million last season and the Senators could be a nice fit because he’d have a chance to help them win without the No. 1 pressure.” Garrioch reported.
For Skinner, a move to Ottawa could represent the perfect reset after an up-and-down stretch over the last couple of seasons.
While Ottawa’s playoff exit was disappointing, the club received strong goaltending from Linus Ullmark through the tail end of the season. Ullmark was one of the biggest reasons the Senators surged late in the year and locked down a playoff spot. However, the organization lacked a proven, dependable backup behind him.
Both Leevi Merilainen and James Reimer filled in at times, but Ottawa may prefer to bring in a veteran capable of handling meaningful starts when needed.
Ottawa still believes in Merilainen’s long-term potential. The 23-year-old is expected to receive a qualifying offer as a restricted free agent, but the organization may decide that another season of development is the better route before handing him full-time NHL backup duties.
That is where Skinner could make sense. Even though he may no longer be viewed as an ideal No. 1 option, playing behind Ullmark could help him rediscover consistency. The Senators would also gain an experienced backup who has handled heavy workloads and playoff expectations.
With Ottawa looking to bounce back from a frustrating postseason exit, improving depth in goal could become one of the organization’s top priorities this summer.
