Player Discussion Stuart Skinner

[TheNumber4]

It’s pretty incredible how Skinner has come into a tough situation and not completely fallen apart. In my opinion there’s maybe 5-7 elite goalies in the league and the rest of them all over around the average mark and much of what separates them is situation.

I always think back to an interview Kevin Woolley did where he talked about how playing goalie for this version of the Oilers isn’t easy because for one the expectations are sky high, this is a team that expects to contend and win night in and night out. But also he said it’s a tough team to play behind because defensively they aren’t always consistent and while they improved greatly under Knoblauch it was still a team that maybe didn’t give up as much in terms of shots or chances but when they did have defensive break downs they resulted in some of the most dangerous chances possible. He talked about how difficult that is for even the best goalies because often you’re not getting a lot of work and not able to get into a rhythm but you’re expected to stop ten bell chances consistently.

I think the Ullmark trade is going to be a perfect example of the goaltender position. The guy has been one of the best goalies in the league the last few years. He won’t be the same in Ottawa.

Hadn’t heard that one. But Woodley’s take is in line with another goalie expert in Jesse Granger for The Athetlic. I’ll post it again:

“The save percentage hasn’t been good, the stats aren’t great. But you play for a team that is not good for goalie stats. The oilers play a style where they possess the puck a lot, and you don’t get a huge volume of shots, but then when they do give up a chance because they are so aggressive offensively it’s a really dangerous chance. So I’ll give him a bit of a break on his save percentage. I don’t think the oilers play like a team where any goalie can step in and play .920, I think it’s the opposite for him. If you get the best out of skinner you have a chance at the cup.“

 

[NeverForget06]

oettinger & swayman were both his draft year and some would say better - but he out dueled oettinger when it mattered

You have to go back to the 2014 draft for shesterkin for another young goalie better than Skinner

I think people fail to appreciate- Skinner is one of the youngest starting goalies in the entire league - his game is gonna have some warts.

Whatever blame you aim at him is just as fairly aimed at Campbell, who has wayyyy more experience but couldn’t get the job done. Or management, who let all this happen.

Stu will win the cup here

 

[GOilers88]

Skinner is a fine goalie for the future. Hes still young and has development room. He can have hot/cold stretches but that is most goalies

Goaltending, imo, is an area we dont need to spend assets on to improve

When the only goalies who were consistently elite in the playoffs were basically Shesty and Bob, and Bob had some real doozy games himself not just in the Finals, there's no leg to stand on when trying to assert that the team cannot win a cup with Stu and needs to find a better option.

Even moreso if actually stopping to think about discussing 10 million dollar goalies as some silly necessity occurs.

 

[Louis Cypher]

I say don't spend any assets on goalies. If we are not buying out Campbell then use him as the backup. The problem is Rodriguez is waiver eligible and he's a really good prospect. He needs some minutes. I feel Campbell will be as good or better than Picard so no need to resign him unless buying out Campbell but what would the savings be after you buy out Campbell and pay Picard. Just keep Campbell and hope with the new coaches and the better defensive play Campbell can be decent.

 

[Behind Enemy Lines]

It’s pretty incredible how Skinner has come into a tough situation and not completely fallen apart. In my opinion there’s maybe 5-7 elite goalies in the league and the rest of them all over around the average mark and much of what separates them is situation.

I always think back to an interview Kevin Woolley did where he talked about how playing goalie for this version of the Oilers isn’t easy because for one the expectations are sky high, this is a team that expects to contend and win night in and night out. But also he said it’s a tough team to play behind because defensively they aren’t always consistent and while they improved greatly under Knoblauch it was still a team that maybe didn’t give up as much in terms of shots or chances but when they did have defensive break downs they resulted in some of the most dangerous chances possible. He talked about how difficult that is for even the best goalies because often you’re not getting a lot of work and not able to get into a rhythm but you’re expected to stop ten bell chances consistently.

I think the Ullmark trade is going to be a perfect example of the goaltender position. The guy has been one of the best goalies in the league the last few years. He won’t be the same in Ottawa.

Woodley's carved out a pretty solid career niche as a technical writer specializing in goaltending. I agree with his opinions about Skinner and final line of defense behind this team. The Oilers are the best or near top of league in terms of offensive zone time while among the lowest in their d zone. That is fantastic but when looking at shot metrics it doesn't necessarily reflect the chances they do give up are often 5 alarm bell kill shots. It can distort perception of goaltending when they dominate puck possession, zone time, and often shots on net.

Ullmark numbers will correct somewhat behind a lesser defensive team in Ottawa. Though he had really good goaltending stats behind a leaky Buffalo team (a reason I had hoped the Oil might try to target him from the Sabres).

At the end of the day, like you, I agree Skinner deserves enormous props for not wilting under the weight of this organization and its fanbase to be a Cup contender. He had his wobbles but this team ran to within two goals in Game 7 of winning a Stanley Cup. Lots of positives for a sophomore NHL goaltender who is still growing and establishing his game. Hope they find a solid veteran 1B goaltender to help fortify the goaltending position.

 

[TheNumber4]

When the only goalies who were consistently elite in the playoffs were basically Shesty and Bob, and Bob had some real doozy games himself not just in the Finals, there's no leg to stand on when trying to assert that the team cannot win a cup with Stu and needs to find a better option.

Even moreso if actually stopping to think about discussing 10 million dollar goalies as some silly necessity occurs.

Bob had 10 games under .900 in this Cup run too. 10. Shesty has 7. Two of the best goalies in the League apparently, and even they get torched in the playoffs in todays League.

 

[Broberg Speed]

I say don't spend any assets on goalies. If we are not buying out Campbell then use him as the backup. The problem is Rodriguez is waiver eligible and he's a really good prospect. He needs some minutes. I feel Campbell will be as good or better than Picard so no need to resign him unless buying out Campbell but what would the savings be after you buy out Campbell and pay Picard. Just keep Campbell and hope with the new coaches and the better defensive play Campbell can be decent.

I'll straight up say it, Campbell is a better goaltender than Picard or Rodriguez but this is all about the cap.

Also if the Oil pick their spot to waive Rodriguez early, after one preseason game kind of thing, he will clear waivers. If they wait until the last preseason game and Rodriguez had a good camp he likely gets claimed.

 

[La Bamba]

I say don't spend any assets on goalies. If we are not buying out Campbell then use him as the backup. The problem is Rodriguez is waiver eligible and he's a really good prospect. He needs some minutes. I feel Campbell will be as good or better than Picard so no need to resign him unless buying out Campbell but what would the savings be after you buy out Campbell and pay Picard. Just keep Campbell and hope with the new coaches and the better defensive play Campbell can be decent.

I agree with not spending assets

Love it or hate it, Skinner will be the #1 guy going into next year. Personally, I like the idea of having Rodrigue as backup. many teams have found their goaltenders of the future by just giving their rookie goalies a chance.. our fanbase seems so hesitant about it for some reason. (Look at what Silovs did for the Canucks once he got his shot) He'll be 24 at the start of the season, he's put in the work in the minors at this point.

if he stumbles badly, call up Campbell and hope for the best

 

[CROTT]

Wrong thread

 

[alanschu]

Wrong thread

With all the Connors, Browns, and Skinners....gonna be a lot of this now I feel

 

[Perfect_Drug]

I'll straight up say it, Campbell is a better goaltender than Picard or Rodriguez but this is all about the cap.

Also if the Oil pick their spot to waive Rodriguez early, after one preseason game kind of thing, he will clear waivers. If they wait until the last preseason game and Rodriguez had a good camp he likely gets claimed.

Which teams would keep E-Rod on their main roster for the year?

I don't think there's many.

 

[bellagiobob]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1813678338734715153

 

[Stauf4Prez]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1813678338734715153

Lol comical.

 

[Stoneman89]

With all the Connors, Browns, and Skinners....gonna be a lot of this now I feel

I've already been "caught" once referring to the wrong Brown.

Lol comical.

Why?

 

[Mack a doodle doo]

Lol comical.

Skinners a player where the eye test really matters. he clearly doesn’t have the same base of raw tools that those other goaltenders have(and should be able to improve upon)

 

[Aerchon]

Skinners a player where the eye test really matters. he clearly doesn’t have the same base of raw tools that those other goaltenders have(and should be able to improve upon)

I question many eye tests on this board because identifying high high high danger scoring chances seem difficult for most. As well as when defenseman give away the slot like it's candy on Halloween... cough Nurse couch Nurse....

An elite nhl shooter at the NHL should score from 10 feet out and no pressure on him no matter how good the goalie is. Imo.

While I agree, to date, Skinner is not as elite as Ottinger and Shesterkin were 2 years ago I am not sure how much worse Skinner was this last year because both those goalies took significant steps back this last year.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Hiring Bowman led me to look at this one a little more, as it's one I always thought, but Skinner's path is weirdly similar to Crawford's first 2 seasons.

Rookie year:
Slated to begin the year as the backup behind the newly signed Turco. But Turco shat the bed (.897 SV% in 29 games played, while Crawford ran with the opportunity (.917 in 57 games). The team snuck in as the 8th seed, and came up just short of the reverse sweep vs. VAN. Crawford finished with a very nice .927 in the playoffs, bolstered by the near comeback.

Skinner by comparison: .914 in 50 games to Campbell's bed-sh*tting .888 in 36 games. .A poor .883 over two playoff rounds for Skinner though.

Sophomore year
Crawford started strong, but took a step back as the season went on, dealing with a ton of ups and downs. Finished with a .903, barely ahead of his backup Emery (.900 in 34 games). Had a poor playoffs with a .893, losing in the first round against the Mike Smith 'Yotes.

Skinner by comparison: .905 in 59 games, just behind Pickard's .909 in 23 games. .A meh .901 in playoffs, but that doesn't paint the full, inconsistent picture of 2 great rounds vs. LA and Dallas, a decent SCF, and a disaster vs. Vancouver in round 2.

Junior year:
Statistically one of Crawford's best, but Chicago was also an absolute machine this year on their way to their 2nd cup. He finishes with a .926, but again that wasn't far ahead of Emery's .922.
Despite the fantastic stats, he got zero love in Vezina voting (to the point where even Emery got more total votes due to one troll voter).

At that point, he was seen more as a decent to meh player carried by an amazing team vs. a proper high-end option.
Frankly, it's was a reputation Crawford never really shook during his playing days, But I feel like he's gotten a bit of the Osgood post-retirement treatment, where people just see the wins plus solid stats, and forget the constant questioning during his playing days, like the fact he rarely viewed as the better goalie going into a playoff matchup.

 

[fuswald]

With all the Connors, Browns, and Skinners....gonna be a lot of this now I feel

Also swapped out Carricks and Savoies.

 

[brentashton]

How many true No. 1 goaltenders are in NHL?

What exactly constitutes a No. 1 stopper these days, and just how many of them are out there? We pulled a key stat or fact to make the case a certain guy was worthy of being designated a No. 1 goalie.

www.sportsnet.ca