Edmonton Oilers
Oilers Demote Stuart Skinner After Mikko Koskinen Cleared to Play
The Edmonton Oilers have loaned Stuart Skinner back to the AHL’s Bakersfield Condors after activating Mikko Koskinen from COVID protocol.
The Edmonton Oilers made a couple of goaltender moves on Wednesday following a 5-2 victory over the Los Angeles Kings. With Mikko Koskinen unable to make the California trip due to his being on the COVID protocol list, it was Stuart Skinner and Mike Smith who split games, Skinner getting the win over San Jose and Smith the win over the Kings. Now that the Oilers are heading home and Koskinen is ready to return, Skinner is being sent back down to the AHL.
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Despite Skinner getting a shutout and playing extremely well, the Oilers are going back to the tandem of Koskinen and Smith and hoping that these two netminders can stay healthy and share the load headed down the stretch for Edmonton. A big win against the Kings now has the Oilers back in a playoff spot and new head coach Jay Woodcroft has won his first three games behind the bench. But, the Oilers need both of their goaltenders to be good to go, something that hasn’t happened all season.
Some fans might ask why the Oilers aren’t moving Koskinen instead and that’s a valid question, but the Oilers, specifically GM Ken Holland believe(s) that a Koskinen and Smith duo is a capable duo. He’s been public about wanting to see what the two can do together when allocated the proper amount of games. The fact that Skinner showed well is a good thing, even if it’s not quite his time yet.

Skinner Needs to Stay Ready
Getting Skinner back down into the AHL also ensures he continues to play games and stay sharp. The way the season has gone, it won’t be long until he’s called back up again. The rest of the Oilers players are off today after back-to-back games. They host the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday.
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