Stuart Skinner knows the heat is on. The Edmonton Oilers goaltender, now 26, steps into a make-or-break year with plenty of eyes watching his every move. For Skinner, this is no ordinary preseason; it’s a chance to prove he can bring consistency in net when Edmonton needs it most.
Can he quiet his doubters, or does another high-pressure season bring even more questions?
Can Stuart Skinner’s Offseason Changes Save His Oilers Career?
Right away, Skinner’s work at captain’s skates has people buzzing. Oilers Now host Bob Stauffer pointed out how much more mobile Skinner looks compared to previous camps. “He looks quicker, more agile, and, when you see him up close, it’s obvious he’s dropped some weight,” Stauffer said.
Bob Stauffer on how Stuart Skinner has looked during #Oilers captain skates (Oilers Now Sept 12, Stan Bowman section)
“Stuart Skinner looks completely different. He looks quicker, more agile, and, when you see him up close, it’s obvious he’s dropped some weight.”#LetsGoOilers
— Caleb Kerney (@CKerneyWriter) September 14, 2025
Meanwhile, general manager Stan Bowman shared his own reaction. “I actually saw Stu earlier this week in the kitchen before going on the ice. The first thing I noticed was he looked thin. I said, ‘Wow, you look different,’” Bowman recalled.
Stan Bowman adds, “I actually saw Stu earlier this week in the kitchen before going on the ice. The first thing I noticed was he looked thin. I said, ‘Wow, you look different’.”
“He looks good, he looks quick on the ice.”
— Caleb Kerney (@CKerneyWriter) September 14, 2025
Adding to the buzz, Skinner confirmed that the transformation was intentional. “I wanted to try something different, be a little bit lighter this year,” he said. “I feel great.” All summer, Skinner focused on trimming weight, building up his core, and clearing his mind after back-to-back Stanley Cup Final losses.
Skinner had told Bowman, “I wanted to try something different, be a little bit lighter this year.”
“I feel great.”
— Caleb Kerney (@CKerneyWriter) September 14, 2025
Last season, Skinner was listed at six-foot-four and around 230 pounds. That size made him tough to beat up high, but critics pointed out a lack of speed moving side-to-side, especially in the playoffs. Shedding weight is Skinner’s response to that criticism, and the move could define his whole year.
Another angle to watch is his early bond with new goalie coach Peter Aubry. According to Bowman, the two have already built strong chemistry. “They’ve spent a lot of time talking about the game and his game,” Bowman said. “It feels like a fresh start.”
A Critical Season Ahead for the Edmonton Oilers and Stuart Skinner
All these changes come at a make-or-break time. With Connor McDavid entering the final year of his contract and other big roster choices on the horizon, having a steady presence in net matters more than ever. If Skinner can put together a reliable season, it boosts Edmonton’s playoff chances and strengthens his own hand in contract talks.
Still, there’s no getting around how much pressure he’s facing. Should Skinner slip up, management could start looking elsewhere, as there are other goalies said to be available. This sets up a season that is every bit a trial — can Skinner prove he’s still the answer for the Oilers?
Off the ice, Skinner has big ambitions, too. “I want to go to the Olympics. I want to be able to get back to the Stanley Cup Final and finish the job this year,” he said earlier this month.
His new training and outlook give him a solid shot at chasing both dreams. Plus, Skinner emphasized that staying mentally sharp was just as important as conditioning. He admitted that the sting from two straight Cup Final losses forced him to rethink things.
Now, leaner and more focused, Skinner is already impressing those who matter. What really counts comes next. No matter what he’s shown so far, it is what happens once the season starts and the stakes rise that will decide where he and the Oilers go from here.
