Stuart Skinner’s NHL Career
Stuart Skinner is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender for the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted by the Oilers in the third round, 78th overall, of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft.
Regular Season
Skinner made his NHL debut on February 10, 2022, in a 5-3 win over the Chicago Blackhawks. He recorded 26 saves on 29 shots. In his rookie season, Skinner appeared in 13 games, posting a 7-5-1 record with a 2.62 goals-against average (GAA) and a .913 save percentage (SV%).
In the 2022-23 season, Skinner became the Oilers’ starting goaltender. He appeared in 52 games, posting a 27-19-6 record with a 2.95 GAA and a .915 SV%. He also recorded four shutouts.
Playoffs
Skinner made his playoff debut in the 2022 playoffs. He appeared in four games, posting a 1-3 record with a 3.50 GAA and a .897 SV%. The Oilers were eliminated in the second round by the Colorado Avalanche.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Skinner is a technically sound goaltender with good size and athleticism. He has quick reflexes and is able to make saves from all angles. He is also a good puck-handler and is able to make quick passes to start the transition game.
Skinner’s biggest weakness is his lack of experience. He has only played two seasons in the NHL and has yet to prove himself as a consistent starter. He also needs to improve his rebound control and his ability to handle the puck under pressure.
Comparison to Other NHL Goaltenders
Skinner is a promising young goaltender with the potential to be one of the best in the NHL. He has the size, athleticism, and technical skills to succeed at the highest level. However, he needs to gain more experience and improve his consistency before he can be considered a top-tier goaltender.
Some of the NHL goaltenders that Skinner is comparable to include Igor Shesterkin, Andrei Vasilevskiy, and Connor Hellebuyck. These are all young goaltenders who have established themselves as some of the best in the NHL. Skinner has the potential to reach their level, but he needs to continue to develop and improve.
Stuart Skinner’s International Career
Stuart Skinner has represented Canada on the international stage, showcasing his exceptional goaltending abilities. He has played a pivotal role in Canada’s success, contributing to their medal-winning performances.
Skinner made his international debut at the 2019 World Junior Championships, where he served as the backup goalie. He stepped into the starting role for the 2020 World Junior Championships, leading Canada to a silver medal and earning a spot on the tournament’s All-Star Team.
World Championships, Stuart skinner
Skinner made his senior international debut at the 2021 World Championships, sharing goaltending duties with Darcy Kuemper. He started three games and posted a 2.67 goals-against average (GAA) and a .921 save percentage (SV%), helping Canada capture the silver medal.
Olympic Games
Skinner was selected as a member of Team Canada for the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. He played in one game, recording a 2.00 GAA and a .929 SV% in a 5-0 victory over China.
Comparison to Other International Goaltenders
Skinner’s international performance compares favorably to other top goaltenders. At the 2020 World Junior Championships, he ranked among the top five in GAA (2.25) and SV% (.926). At the 2021 World Championships, his GAA and SV% were on par with those of other starting goaltenders.
Stuart Skinner’s Future Prospects
Stuart Skinner is a rising star in the NHL, and his future prospects are very bright. He has already shown that he has the potential to be a top-tier goaltender, and he is only going to get better with experience. Skinner is still under contract with the Edmonton Oilers until the end of the 2023-24 season, but he will be a restricted free agent after that. It is likely that he will sign a long-term contract with the Oilers, but there is a chance that he could test the free agent market.
If Skinner does become a free agent, he will be one of the most sought-after players on the market. He is a young, talented goaltender with a lot of potential. He would be a great addition to any team, and he could help them compete for a Stanley Cup.
Some of the teams that could be interested in signing Skinner include the Toronto Maple Leafs, the New York Rangers, and the Vegas Golden Knights. These teams are all contenders, and they would all benefit from adding Skinner to their roster.
Skinner has the potential to be one of the best goaltenders in the NHL. He is a quick, athletic goaltender with great reflexes. He is also very good at reading the play and making saves. Skinner is still developing, but he has already shown that he has the potential to be a star.
Skinner’s Contract Situation
Skinner is currently under contract with the Edmonton Oilers until the end of the 2023-24 season. He has a cap hit of $925,000. Skinner is a restricted free agent after the 2023-24 season.
It is likely that Skinner will sign a long-term contract with the Oilers. He is a valuable player, and the Oilers will want to keep him in Edmonton. However, there is a chance that Skinner could test the free agent market. If he does, he will be one of the most sought-after players on the market.
Skinner’s Potential Destinations
If Skinner does become a free agent, he will have a lot of options. He could sign with any team in the NHL. However, some of the teams that could be interested in signing Skinner include the Toronto Maple Leafs, the New York Rangers, and the Vegas Golden Knights.
These teams are all contenders, and they would all benefit from adding Skinner to their roster. The Maple Leafs are one of the most talented teams in the NHL, but they have struggled to find a consistent goaltender. Skinner could be the answer to their problems.
The Rangers are another team that could be interested in signing Skinner. They have a young, talented team, but they need a goaltender who can help them compete for a Stanley Cup. Skinner could be that goaltender.
The Golden Knights are a relatively new team, but they have quickly become one of the best teams in the NHL. They have a lot of talent, but they need a goaltender who can help them take the next step. Skinner could be that goaltender.
