This time, it looks like starting goaltender Stuart Skinner’s time with his hometown Edmonton Oilers is running out.
Skinner, now in his fourth season as Edmonton’s starter, has gotten off to a rough start, which, after 18 starts, has seen the 27-year-old go 8-7 with 3 shutouts, along with a 3.18 GAA and a 878 save percentage which has drawn the frustration of Oilers fans who have taken to social media and expressed their anger/frustration while strongly suggesting that they trade Skinner sooner rather than later.
Throughout his six years playing for the Oilers, Skinner has had his fair share of success, which includes Rogers Place arena, affectionately yelling “Stuuuu…” every time he made a big save, and of course, backstopping the Oilers to back-to-back Stanley Cup finals where in both cases they lost to the two time defending Stanley Cup champions Florida Panthers.
Starting in the season opener, which the Oilers lost 4-3 in a shootout against the Calgary Flames, Skinner’s season got off on the wrong foot as he was widely criticized on the Flames third and tying goal which came 40 seconds into the third period when he failed to adequately play or cover up the puck which ended up in Flames forward Blake Coleman tucking home his first of the season to make jt a a 3-3 game.
“I think I just had to make a quicker decision,” Skinner said. “The game happens fast down there, and it was just kind of a miscommunication, and I was slow to react to Coleman behind (Evan Bouchard), and then it’s a goal.”
As the calendar prepares to turn to December, Skinner is tied with Carolina Hurricanes starter Frederik Andersen for the eighth-lowest save percentage at .878. Edmonton also has the worst save percentage in the league on five on five situations.
The Oilers goaltending duel of Skinner and backup Calvin Pickard has the NHL’s worst save percentage at .860.
Following a nightmare performance during a November 25th 8-3 loss against the Dallas Stars, where Skinner allowed four goals on eight shots, the intensity was ramped up a notch, as the comments from fans got that much more personal.
Skinner is an above-average goalie who, at this time, just needs a change of scenery.
Now is the Time for Oilers to Trade Goalie Stuart Skinner
Sabres Broadcaster and Former Player Rob Ray Pokes Fun at Skinner’s Performance
Former NHL enforcer and current Buffalo Sabres broadcaster Rob Ray expressed some controversial remarks about Skinner’s performance during a November 17th Sabres 5-1 win at Key Bank Center against the Oilers.
With time running down in regulation, Oilers pulled Skinner for an extra attacker, which was when Sabres commentator Dan Dunleavy stated, “Empty net for Edmonton. That is when Ray replied, “Yeah it has been for most of the night, so what’s the difference?”
Needless to say, that comment from Ray didn’t go over well with some Oilers fans who expressed their strong feelings on the matter on social media.
Recently journalist Jim Matheson was also questioned by fans on social media after asking Skinner, “The fans wants, every time you turn around, they want another goalie. Don’t want you. I mean that must hurt.” Obviously not the smartest thing to say when someone is down.
Rumors Circulating That Skinner Will be Traded to St. Louis Blues
Rumors have been circulating that Skinner will soon be traded to the St. Louis Blues in exchange for Stanley Cup winning goalie Jordan Binnington.
Binnington, who is 32 years-old, played a key role in helping St. Louis capture the 2019 Stanley Cup.
Another major achievement for Binnington came last year when he went 3-1 with a .907 save percentage and 2.37 GAA in backstopping Team Canada to a 4 Nations Face-Off Gold Medal win.
So far in 15 games this year, (13 starts), Binnington has put together a mediocre 5-5-4 record with a .880 save percentage and a 3.13 G.A.A. Currently, this veteran goalie has only one year for six million dollars remaining on his contract.
Apparently, Edmonton is also looking to get a defenseman back in any deal that would be made.
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