Insider predicts Edmonton Oilers will trade Stuart Skinner
The Edmonton Oilers have been one of the hottest teams in the NHL as of late, but there are still serious concerns regarding their strength between the pipes.
Recently, Edmonton Oilers insider Alan Mitchel published an intriguing article which has sparked some conversation in Oil Country.
Although Stuart Skinner has been stringing together some solid performances, the Oilers recent 6-5 loss to the Florida Panthers have caused fans to worry about Skinner's ability to perform in high pressure situations.
With that in mind, Alan Mitchel suggests Oilers GM Stan Bowman could still interesting in making some improvements in net come trade deadline.
»There may be an appetite to add another goaltender to the current group.»
- Alan Mitchell, The Athletic
As per Oilers Daily, in a separate piece for Lowetide, Mitchell suggested that Stan Bowman has less attachment to Skinner, being a different manager from the one who drafted and developed him.
The Oilers goaltending is a definite weaker point of the roster, and Bowman may be exploring upgrading on Skinner.
»It is possible the new general manager sees goaltending as an area that needs improvement at the deadline, and there will be some options for trade. Something to contemplate between now and the deadline. I would stick to Skinner, but Bowman has no ties to Edmonton's current starter and I can see a deal in the next seven months, possibly sooner than later."
- Alan Mitchell
According to Mitchell, Stan Bowman has no reason to stay loyal to Stuart Skinner moving forward.
The Edmonton Oilers are currently stuck in "win now" mode, and if the opportunity to scoop up an elite goaltender presents itself at the deadline, I don't see Stan Bowman shying away from that opportunity.
The biggest benefit to having Skinner as a starter is that at the end of the year, the local kid overperforms his bargain salary of $2.6M.
It benefits the Oilers tight to the cap now, but with the salary cap expected to increase $17.5M in the next two years, they could certainly find room to spend more in the crease.
-Oilers Daily
As per Alan Mitchel, don't be shocked if the Oilers part ways with Stuart Skinner come trade deadline.
POLL |
DECEMBRE 22 | 427 ANSWERS Insider predicts Edmonton Oilers will trade Stuart Skinner Do you think the Edmonton Oilers should trade Stuart Skinner? |
Yes | 131 | 30.7 % |
No | 296 | 69.3 % |
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