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Kulak Trade Has Insider Wondering About Stuart Skinner

Originally posted on NHL Trade Talk | By Jackson Weber | Last updated Feb 24, 2026 1:45 PM ET

When Stuart Skinner was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins as part of the return package for Tristan Jarry, many around the hockey world felt he was likely to be flipped again before the March 6 deadline.

After losing his first three starts on a rebuilding team, that scenario started to feel even more likely. However, all Skinner has done since then is win, and with Pittsburgh currently sitting second in the Metropolitan Division, it would seem GM Kyle Dubas may have reconsidered moving his netminder.

Turns out that’s not the case. Team play-by-play voice Josh Getzoff recently reaffirmed that with young goalies Arturs Silovs, Sergei Murashov, and Joel Blomqvist in the system, Dubas may still very well flip Skinner before the deadline, even with the team in a playoff spot.

Getzoff said:

“I wonder about Stuart Skinner possibly not finishing this year in Pittsburgh, basically that’s my long way of saying that he could potentially be on the move again as it pertains to this team.”

The 27-year-old is, of course, a pending UFA in the third and final year of the three-year, $7.8 million extension signed with the Oilers in 2022. Skinner has gone 19-12-5 across 36 starts with Edmonton and Pittsburgh, posting a 2.69 goals-against average, a .890 save percentage, and two shutouts along the way.

Landing Spots for Stuart Skinner

It’s quite surprising to hear that the Penguins could still move on from their number one goalie in the midst of a playoff push. That said, GM Kyle Dubas has never strayed from his long-term plan, and Skinner may simply not be part of it.

With that in mind, who might have an interest?

The Montreal Canadiens make a lot of sense, given their inconsistencies in goal this season, and the fact that the acquisition cost would likely come in at less than that of a Sergei Bobrovsky or Jordan Binnington. Philadelphia and New Jersey are in need of goaltending help as well, though it seems unlikely Pittsburgh would want to trade him within the Metropolitan Division.

Out west, the Vegas Golden Knights, Utah Mammoth, and San Jose Sharks are all teams that could use more depth in net. What about the Edmonton Oilers circling back to a familiar face if their struggles at the position continue? Anything is possible, though Skinner may not be too keen on returning, given the way things ended.

How the next week and a half plays out could have a major impact on Dubas’ ultimate decision regarding his rental goalie. Nevertheless, he just flipped the other player from the deal — Brett Kulak — to Colorado, so maybe we shouldn’t be too surprised if Skinner heads out the door soon himself.

This article first appeared on NHL Trade Talk and was syndicated with permission.

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