Tuesday, June 17 saw the Edmonton Oilers lose their second consecutive Stanley Cup Finals to the Florida Panthers. But with the finals coming to an end, the offseason gives the Oilers some time to figure out their future.
One of the main issues that the Oilers will need to address is the defense and the goalkeeping situation. With the way Stuart Skinner performed in Games 4 and 6, there is a lot to be desired from him. Not to mention, his form against the Panthers’ offense showed the holes in their armor.
And now, one insider believes that the Oilers will be up for some serious changes, given the way they were outclassed by the Panthers.
Insider Gives an Update on the Stuart Skinner Situation for the Oilers
NHL Insider and podcaster Elliotte Friedman, on the latest episode of the “32 Thoughts Podcast,” shared his views on Skinner.
“I don’t know if the Oilers are going to get another goalie to go with Skinner, or if they ‘move on,’ but they ‘have to end the uncertainty,'” Friedman mentions.
Elliotte Friedman: I don’t know if the Oilers are going to get another goalie to go with Skinner, or if they “move on”, but they “have to end the uncertainty” in net – 32 Thoughts Podcast
— NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) June 21, 2025
While Kris Knoblauch decided to sit Skinner for Game 5, instead bringing in Calvin Pickard, Game 6 showed that the Oilers preferred familiarity over anything. Skinner was brought back, but instead of the Western Conference Finals heroics he showed against Dallas, he let three go past him.
Friedman mentions that teams that generally win the Stanley Cup don’t usually have as much turnover and upheaval the way that Skinner has suffered. Not to mention his inability to change his gameplay despite being read by the Panthers’ offense.
Skinner’s tactic of playing farther from the net has been one of the key reasons for his struggles this season. With his lack of mobility when it comes to lateral movement and his inability to return to the net, power plays have been much harder for him to defend.
Not to mention, Skinner’s low rate of success against low- to medium-danger shots has allowed guys like Sam Reinhart to take advantage of the situation to put multiple goals past him. Sam Bennett has been another from Florida’s line who has been prolific against Skinner.
Skinner’s inability to create shutouts, as done by his Panthers’ counterpart, Sergei Bobrovsky, has led to serious questions regarding what the Oilers’ strategy regarding goaltending will be for the 2025-26 season.
With free agency just a few days away, the Oilers must figure out a new deal for a secondary goalie. Currently, rumors suggest that Thatcher Demko from the Vancouver Canucks is the most likely target for that.
While things are still unclear, one thing is certain: the Oilers will be putting an end to their goalie woes come July 1.
