Stuart Skinner Talks “Fair” Treatment During Run as an Oiler

After another up-and-down season that ended with a second consecutive defeat in the Stanley Cup Finals, it was clear that both Stuart Skinner and the Edmonton Oilers needed a change. Just over a month has passed since it finally came by way of the trade that sent Skinner and Brett Kulak to Pittsburgh for Tristan Jarry, and so far, the fresh start has benefited both sides.

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Skinner has thrived in a new environment, taking control as the number one goalie for a Penguins team tied for second in the Metropolitan Division. Meanwhile, the Oilers have enjoyed the best goaltending they’ve had in years from Jarry and under-the-radar offseason acquisition Connor Ingram.

On Thursday night, Skinner and the Penguins — though he won’t be starting — make their lone trip to Rogers Place to face the Oilers, and the Edmonton native will be in the spotlight, returning home for the first time as a visitor. While his time with the Oilers didn’t end on the best of terms, a recent interview with team reporter Josh Yohe shows he’s fully moved on from it all.

Skinner said:

“To give you my honest answer, it doesn’t really matter if I was treated fairly or not. I don’t even care if I was treated fairly or not. I just tried to give my team a chance to win every night I was there. At the end of the day, you have your job and your home life. That was my job. I was a goaltender in Edmonton and I absolutely did my best every day I was there. Whether the fans were fair to me or not, or whatever that entails, it doesn’t really matter to me. That’s my perspective on that.”

The 27-year-old Skinner has been tremendous of late, now sporting a 6-4-0 record as a Penguin to go with a 2.34 goals-against average and a .902 save percentage. He’s, of course, a pending UFA in the third and final season of the three-year, $7.8 million extension signed with the Oilers in 2022.

Stuart Skinner Has Quickly Become Beloved in Pittsburgh

It should come as no surprise to the Oilers or their fans that Skinner’s transition to Pittsburgh has been seamless. He’s already a favorite in the locker room.

Bryan Rust had this to say after Wednesday night’s win in Calgary: “Immediately, everybody loved him. Comes in here, works hard, has a huge smile on his face. To see him continue to keep getting better and better and play awesome games for us, it’s cool.”

Skinner has quickly carved out a key role for the Penguins, both on and off the ice. Given how well he’s performed so far, you have to imagine GM Kyle Dubas will show serious interest in extending him beyond this season, something very few saw coming when the trade originally went down.

Next: Oilers Make Surprise Goalie Choice as McDavid Meets Crosby, Penguins