The situation with goalies in Pittsburgh has changed dramatically. Multiple sources from the league say the Pittsburgh Penguins are thinking again about their future with Stuart Skinner.
After joining the team with big hopes from his time with the Edmonton Oilers, Skinner is now back on the trading list just one week before the trading deadline. This is a surprising switch for Kyle Dubas, who had earlier pledged support for the 27-year-old goalie.
Skinner has had a tough time playing well behind a weak Penguins defense. In his last five games, he got pulled out of the game twice and has a save percentage of . 892, which is much lower than the level he played at when he was an All-Star in Western Canada.
Right now, Pittsburgh is in 2nd place in the Metropolitan Division, holding 75 points. They have strong chances to make the playoffs, and the management seems ready to make any changes needed to secure a strong playoff run.
Skinner is in his third year of a contract that costs $2.6 million against the salary cap. This amount is easy to manage, and hockey insider Chris from The Athletic says that Skinner could be a good choice for several other teams looking to win.
“Skinner is a goalie who plays well by staying in a good position against the shooter. He also has a lot of experience from going to the Stanley Cup Final with the Oilers,” wrote Johnston.
Is Stuart Skinner on the move again?
Considering the Penguins have two young goalies, Sergei Murashov and Arturs Silovs, it makes sense to think about whether Skinner could be traded.
This is especially true if the Penguins don’t plan on signing him again.
The Toronto Maple Leafs are looking into the goalie market. Given Skinner’s experience from the Stanley Cup Final, he could be a valuable player to revive for the right team.
If he doesn’t get traded by March 6, the Penguins won’t worry too much. Still, the countdown has started for Skinner’s stay in Pittsburgh.
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