The Pittsburgh Penguins are enjoying a strong run. They’ve won five straight games and currently sit fifth in the Metropolitan Division with a 20-12-9 record, coming off a thrilling 4-3 overtime victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Sunday.
With the team firmly in the playoff hunt, Pittsburgh is expected to explore ways to strengthen its roster. One insider has now offered insight into the status of former Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner.
Insider Sheds Light on Penguins’ View of Former Oilers Goalie Stuart Skinner
The Penguins got Skinner last month in a goalie swap with the Edmonton Oilers that sent Tristan Jarry the other way. Since joining Pittsburgh, Skinner has played in five games and won two. He has a 2.87 goals-against average and a .874 save percentage while sharing the crease with Artūrs Šilovs.
With four goaltenders on the team, Pittsburgh is expected to be active leading up to the March trade deadline. As a pending unrestricted free agent next season, Skinner has already begun to surface in trade discussions.
That said, NHL insider Josh Yohe offered some context on how the organization views Skinner. “Speaking of goaltenders, Stuart Skinner has become an instant sensation in the locker room,” Yohe said. “Everyone loves this guy.”
Yohe also noted that the coaching staff has been encouraged by Šilovs’ recent play. After a brutal stretch in November and December, the young netminder has started to resemble the goalie who opened the season with a shutout at Madison Square Garden.
Playoff Push Changing the Conversation in Pittsburgh
Yohe added that, entering the season, the Penguins were not expected to be serious contenders for the playoffs. The focus was on the future, providing young players with NHL experience and enabling new head coach Dan Muse to develop the roster.
However, the first half of the season has changed that outlook. While Yohe does not expect general manager Kyle Dubas to make aggressive, high-cost moves, the playoffs are now a clear goal within both the locker room and the front office.
“I only foresee Dubas selling veteran names if the team crashes and burns before the March 6 deadline,” Yohe said. “Dubas has some Jim Rutherford in him. He likes trading. He’s good at it. It’s probably the best path to making his team better, and he knows it.”
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For now, it remains to be seen how Pittsburgh approaches the trade deadline. The Penguins will next face the New Jersey Devils on Thursday.