The Edmonton Oilers finally made a move addressing their primary need, sending Stuart Skinner, Brett Kulak, and a 2029 second-round pick to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for Tristan Jarry and Samuel Poulin.
While the Oilers’ interest in Jarry was already established (what with Jarry having played for their Oil Kings), the timing and the package of the trade took the NHL world by surprise, especially with the two teams set to square off on Tuesday night.
Ahead of their meeting in Pittsburgh, Stuart Skinner addressed facing the Oilers for the first time since being shipped to the Penguins, having been a part of the Edmonton team that made it to two consecutive Stanley Cup Finals.
Stuart Skinner Puts Cards on the Table Over Facing Oilers
Skinner, who has had one of his worst seasons this year, is being thrown right into the fire with the Penguins still in the thick of things in December. Speaking to the media head of his debut for Pittsburgh, Skinner struck a modest tone, saying he was up to the challenge.
“We’re ripping off the band-aid right away, which is good. Thinking about it, I think I’d rather it be like this and just kind of get it over with, but also to enjoy it, too. I get to play my old teammates, and me and Brett [Kulak] get to do it together. I think that’s nothing but exciting,” Skinner told the media.
Stuart Skinner, on playing Edmonton in his Penguins debut: “We’re ripping off the Band-Aid right away, which is good. Thinking about it, I think I’d rather it be like this and just kind of get it over with, but also to enjoy it, too. I get to play my old teammates, and me and…
— Pens Inside Scoop (@PensInsideScoop) December 16, 2025
For his part, Tristan Jarry had a pretty eventful and rather Stuart Skinner-esque debut for the Oilers. He finished with a .893 save percentage and 1.06 goals saved above expected as Edmonton picked up a win over the Toronto Maple Leafs.
ALSO READ: NHL Trade Rumors: Oilers Far From Done After Pulling Off Sensational Tristan Jarry Trade
Tuesday night’s showdown should also be a pretty eventful one.
Connor McDavid is fresh off a scintillating few games, and Sidney Crosby is a couple points away from matching Mario Lemieux’s tally, with the NHL legend also expected to be in the building. Crosby is currently on 1,721 points (644 goals, 1,077 assists) in 1,383 games, two behind Lemieux (1,723 points; 690 goals, 1,033 assists in 915 games).
And if that wasn’t enough, Leon Draisaitl is a point away from #1,000 and, to top it all off, it will be a clash of the recently-traded goalies as Jarry and Skinner go head-to-head.
