Stuart Skinner trade deadline news is back, and Oilers fans can really feel the pressure of his upcoming free agency.
It’s surprising how quickly the situation changed from being seen as “our player” to just a “temporary goalie. ” That’s what happens when a player is about to become a free agent.
Skinner is in the last year of his contract, which affects the team’s budget by $2.6 million.
After the deadline on Friday, the urgency grows for July 1. The team that has him must either offer him a new contract or risk losing him for nothing.
For fans in Edmonton, it’s even tougher because there’s already been a trade. The Oilers traded Skinner to Pittsburgh on December 12, 2025.
That’s why this clip from Seravalli is so interesting to follow, even for those who aren’t closely involved.
The part about “no strings attached” is important. A team that wants to compete can pick him up without needing to worry about making a qualifying offer or dealing with any restricted free agent rules, since there aren’t any.
This usually means the team won’t get as much in return. Teams often get less for players who are just temporary rentals, especially goalies unless there’s a lot of competition for them.
Stuart Skinner still brings out strong feelings among Oilers fans.
Frank Seravalli: Re goalie market: Stuart Skinner…he’s a goaltender that I can see moving between now and [the deadline] because he is a pending UFA with no strings attached – NHL Now (3/4)
— NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) March 5, 2026
Oilers fans can’t fully relax because we know how one great goalie performance can change a season, and how a few bad games can really hurt it.
Skinner’s record for 2025-26 isn’t perfect but it’s decent, with 19 wins, 12 losses, and 6 ties plus an average of 2.76 goals allowed and a save rate of . 891.
In simple terms, he’s the type of goalie teams depend on when their main goalie is hurt or when their second goalie isn’t performing well.
For Edmonton, the lesson about free agency is crucial. If you don’t plan to keep a goalie, you should trade him before it’s too late or be ready for the risks of losing him.
Skinner is 27 years old and was picked in the 2017 draft, in the third round, 78th overall by the Oilers. That’s time spent improving that you can’t recover.
If he gets moved again this week, it will be like seeing your ex at the food court in the mall. You try to ignore it, but you can’t help but sneak another glance.
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