Does the Stuart Skinner Trade Still Look Good for the Oilers?
When the Oilers sent Stuart Skinner to Pittsburgh for Tristan Jarry on December 12, it made sense on paper. Jarry was supposed to be the answer in Edmonton, someone who could stabilize the crease behind a strong team. But now, just a few weeks later, questions should be popping up. Jarry has been sidelined with a lower-body injury since the game against Boston on December 19 and is expected to miss multiple weeks. Calvin Pickard has stepped in as the primary goalie, with Connor Ingram as backup, but it’s far from the same certainty the Oilers hoped for.
Skinner’s Start With the Penguins Was Less Than Hoped For
On the other side of the trade, Skinner’s start in Pittsburgh was rocky. In his first three games with the Penguins, he allowed 12 goals and posted a .831 save percentage. Not exactly inspiring for a player leaving Edmonton. But over the past two starts, Skinner has pulled things together. Against Detroit, he made 11 saves in a 4-1 win, and on December 31, he stopped 27 of 28 shots in a 5-1 victory over Carolina. That stretch has his numbers looking better. He’s now 3-4-1 with a 2.68 GAA and .895 save percentage for December, showing he can be a reliable option when protected by his team.
It’s worth noting the context for both sides. Pittsburgh has been careful with Skinner, splitting starts with Arturs Silovs and giving him defensive support. Detroit and Carolina also didn’t exactly overwhelm him offensively in those wins, with the Penguins blocking shots and limiting high-danger chances. Meanwhile, Jarry’s absence highlights the risk the Oilers take in relying on one player to stabilize their net.
When Can the Oilers’ Trade Be Judged for Sure?
So does this trade still look good for Edmonton? It’s too early to say definitively. Skinner seems to be finding his footing, which makes you wonder if the Oilers might have been better off keeping him, especially given Jarry’s injury layoff. But the Oilers’ goaltending situation has always been a juggling act, and when Jarry returns, the hope is he’ll be the steadying force the team needs. Until then, Skinner’s rebound in Pittsburgh makes this trade a little harder to evaluate.
For now, it’s a reminder that goalie trades are rarely straightforward — even when the math looks clean, timing, injuries, and confidence can swing the pendulum in unexpected ways. The only thing on everyone’s mind is Jarry’s injury history. It is less than reassuring.