There was loads talked about in regards to the Edmonton Oilers Stanley Cup aspirations over the previous couple of seasons, and it looks as if when the dialog turns to the Oilers’ largest weak point, nearly each finger will get pointed within the course of the defence.
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However is the Oilers’ goaltending ok to ship the Stanley Cup? Extra particularly, is starter Stuart Skinner able to take his place amongst Oilers Stanley Cup champion goaltenders equivalent to Grant Fuhr, Invoice Ranford, and Andy Moog?
Skinner Strong However Not Spectacular Final Season
Do you want spectacular goaltending to win the Stanley Cup in 2024-25? At one time I believed a goalie wanted to be the second coming of Fuhr, Bernie Mum or dad, and Martin Brodeur. Perhaps not. Chris Osgood received three Stanley Cups with the Detroit Purple Wings (two as a starter) together with his regular, mechanical goaltending. So did Adin Hill, who received the Stanley Cup with the Vegas Golden Knights in 2023. Skinner, who had just a few bumps within the 2024 playoffs, took the Oilers to Sport 7 of the Stanley Cup Ultimate. In the long run, it got here all the way down to a Sam Reinhart second-period aim which appeared to handcuff Skinner between his glove and his pad. Sadly for the Oilers, that’s all of the Florida Panthers wanted to win.
That was then. That is now. So is Skinner the goalie who can recover from that razor-thin hump and win all of it this season?
Should you’re an Oilers fan, it’s a must to hope so. Some others have thought in a different way together with certainly one of my favorite sports activities pundits, Steve Lansky of Large Mouth Sports activities and the Inside The Truck podcast (Lansky is an everyday Friday visitor on The Lowdown with Lowetide on Sports activities 1440 in Edmonton.) Each time I feel Skinner has turned the nook and would be the goalie the Oilers must win all of it, at the back of my thoughts I can hear Lansky questioning Skinner’s potential to supply the crew with 100% confidence. As an Oilers fan, I’m hoping Skinner can show to everybody that he’s certainly the man. I feel the 2024-25 season is his massive probability to show it. However will he?
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With information that Evander Kane had profitable surgical procedure not too long ago and received’t be again for just a few months, I can’t assist however suppose that he’ll spend your entire common season on long-term injured reserve and be wholesome for the playoffs. Which means the Oilers are going to have some vital money to spend by the 2025 Commerce Deadline of March 7. All indicators initially of the season are pointing to the membership going after a top-four defenceman however would additionally they think about a goaltending change if Skinner has an up and down efficiency this season? For this reason the strain is on Skinner to carry out at a excessive degree proper out of the gate and all through the season. As a lot as I like Calvin Pickard because the backup this season, I wouldn’t be snug if Pickard was the beginning goalie as soon as the playoffs begin.
Skinner has to show that he’s actually the goalie the Oilers must go all the way in which. I feel he’s succesful, as he’s proven enchancment season after season. If Skinner does assist the Oilers win all of it, I feel you’ll be able to safely say he’ll make Staff Canada for the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan. He may even crack TSN’s High 50 Gamers record. Nevertheless, if he falters in any capability, I imagine the Oilers shall be searching for a brand new beginning goalie. The window to win throughout Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl’s prime years is right here and it received’t be open ceaselessly. The franchise wants Skinner to show he’s the again stopper who has the whole lot the crew must win this season.