Ex-NHL goalie doesn't mince his words in blunt criticism of Stuart Skinner's current record

By Srihari Anand

Modified Oct 30, 2024 18:15 GMT

Stuart Skinner and the Edmonton Oilers have struggled through the first 10 games of the 2024-25 season. Skinner has started seven games in net for the Oilers, and the Oilers have a 2-4-1 record in those games.

The 25-year-old goaltender has been struggling with a 3.51 GA/G, having conceded 23 goals and having a 0.872 SV%. Skinner's goalie duo, Calvin Pickard, has been marginally better in net during the four games he's played so far. He has a 2.91 GA/G and a .875 SV%, which ranks the Oilers duo as the 8th-worst goalie tandem in the league.

Former NHL goalie and analyst Marty Biron joined the TSN broadcast on Tuesday, October 29, to discuss which Canadian team should be most concerned about its current goaltending situation. Biron nominated Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner.

"(0:16) Stuart Skinner has not looked good. When I watch him, I look at a goalie that's chasing the game, that's not balanced in his game—that is overreacting to certain pucks, stabbing at them. I don’t love that out of a goalie; there's no flow to his game," Biron said.

Biron's co-panelist on the show, Jamie McLennan, agreed with the Skinner pick. He pointed out that the Edmonton Oilers have been inconsistent across all aspects of their game and hence haven't supported Skinner well enough. But he believes the young netminder will bounce back and perform better as the season progresses.

Stuart Skinner unable to cope with mounting pressure owing to Oilers' struggles all over the ice: Biron

Despite having star-studded top lines featuring the likes of Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Zach Hyman, the Oilers have the league's worst Goals For per game (GF/G) average of 2.20. Only McDavid and Draisaitl have double-digit points so far, with 10 each.

The Oilers aren't deep defensively. Mattias Ekholm has been the only standout so far. The team has the 25th-worst defense in the league with 3.50 GA/G.

Biron said the Oilers' offensive and defensive struggles have made the job more difficult for Stuart Skinner.

"(0:53) They're not helping their goaltender in either producing or defending. It's left to Stuart Skinner to pull himself up and make saves, and that added pressure is getting to him," Biron said.

The Oilers' special teams have not clicked so far this season either. In terms of power-play goals scored, they rank 24th in the league with a 13.8 PP%, having scored just four power-play goals.

With Connor McDavid now confirmed to be out for at least two or three weeks, the Oilers will be tested on their ability to win games without their star captain.