![\"Edmonton](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/stuartskinner-e1759940374785.jpg\")
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\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGetty\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
Edmonton Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner will be a free agent at season’s end.<\/p>\n
There was a major shakeup in the goaltending department for the Edmonton Oilers<\/a> this season, as the club decided that they were no longer able to wait for Stuart Skinner to rediscover his consistency. They shipped him in December along with defenseman Brett Kulak to the Pittsburgh Penguins in return for Tristan Jarry and Sam Poulin.<\/p>\n During his time with the Penguins, Skinner had brief flashes of the kind of brilliance he occasionally displayed during the 2024 and 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs which resulted in two straight appearances in the Stanley Cup Final. However, just as he did in each of those two playoff runs, Skinner faltered when it mattered most and was eventually replaced in goal.<\/p>\n Skinner and the Penguins were eliminated in six games in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinal by the in-state rival Philadelphia Flyers, and Skinner was on the bench for the final three games of the series after starting the first three. A pending unrestricted free agent, the initial belief was that Skinner would not be offered a new contract by Pittsburgh general manager Kyle Dubas, but one notable Penguins beat writer believes the door is still potentially open for him to return next season.<\/p>\n Will Former Edmonton Oilers Goalie Stuart Skinner Be Back With The Penguins Next Season?<\/p>\n According to Penguins beat writer Josh Yohe of The Athletic, there is still a pathway for Skinner to be re-signed by Pittsburgh, who reportedly \u201cloved\u201d his presence in the dressing room.<\/p>\n \u201cGoaltender Stuart Skinner, acquired from the Edmonton Oilers in last season\u2019s Tristan Jarry trade, appears unlikely to return to the Penguins. It would take a long shot \u2014 trading Art\u016brs \u0160ilovs \u2014 before July 1, when Skinner becomes an unrestricted free agent,\u201d Yohe wrote.<\/a> \u201cIf they dealt \u0160ilovs, the Penguins would be open to teaming Skinner with Sergei Murashov next season. The Penguins loved having Skinner in the locker room.\u201d<\/p>\n Yohe continued:<\/p>\n \u201cStill, smart money says they will re-sign \u0160ilovs, a talented pending restricted free agent whose postseason performance seemed to get the organization\u2019s attention.<\/p>\n While the Penguins\u2019 leadership was delighted with Skinner\u2019s contributions in the locker room, it believed his performance was simply adequate; one team source called his physical attributes \u201climited\u201d and suggested that Murashov and \u0160ilovs have higher ceilings.\u201d<\/p>\n But ultimately, Yohe believes that Skinner will end up getting paid by another team, despite Pittsburgh being able to afford him given the rising salary cap.<\/p>\n \u201cSkinner isn\u2019t incredible, but he\u2019s solid and has a ton of playoff experience for a 27-year-old,\u201d he concluded. \u201cThe Penguins believe someone will pay Skinner serious money over multiple years. Just don\u2019t expect it to be them, given the wealth of goaltending talent on the way from AHL Wilkes-Barre.\u201d<\/p>\n Tristan Jarry Didn\u2019t Exactly Impress With The Oilers<\/p>\n As was the case during his time with the Penguins, Jarry didn\u2019t exactly impress upon his acquisition by the Oilers, and was even on the bench for the majority of their opening round playoff series against the Anaheim Ducks in favor of Connor Ingram.<\/p>\n During his time with the Oilers in 2025-26, Jarry went 9-6-2 with a 3.86 goals-against average and a .857 save percentage.<\/p>\n \n\t\t\tMichael Whitaker<\/a> Michael Whitaker is a sports journalist based in metro Detroit with nearly a full decade of experience with publications like Clutch Points and The Hockey News. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism from Eastern Michigan University. More about Michael Whitaker<\/a>\t\t<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Getty Edmonton Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner will be a free agent at season’s end. 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