Senators Backup Goalie: Stuart Skinner vs. Connor Ingram

The Ottawa Senators are in that awkward but important stage where they already have a clear starter in Linus Ullmark, but still need a reliable backup who can stabilize stretches of the season without turning every second start into a gamble. In a market where goaltending depth often decides playoff positioning, the choice between Stuart Skinner and Connor Ingram becomes less about talent alone and more about fit, cost, and risk.

Both goalies bring NHL experience and have shown stretches of being capable NHL contributors in a thin free-agent market. But the profiles are very different.

Let’s look at and compare the two to see which one might be the wiser move (if it comes to that) for the Senators.

Stuart Skinner — High Ceiling, Higher Volatility

Skinner is the more recognizable name and arguably the more polarizing option.

Positives:

• Still relatively young (27) with starter experience upside

• Has shown stretches of being a legitimate NHL starter

• Bigger sample size of NHL games than most backup options

• Could theoretically rebound in a lower-pressure role behind Ullmark

• Good teammate reputation and strong locker-room fit

Negatives:

• Consistency issues are the biggest concern

• Save percentage (.885 last season) is well below league average

• Has already shown difficulty handling workload spikes

• Likely to command ~$3.5-4M AAV, which is expensive for a backup

• If he struggles, Ottawa’s cap flexibility takes a real hit

Summary:

Skinner is a bet on upside rebound, not stability. If he hits form, Ottawa has elite depth. If not, they’re paying starter money for backup results.

Connor Ingram — Steady, Affordable, Lower Risk

Ingram profiles as the more “plug-and-play” option.

Positives:

• More stable recent performance (.899 SV% / 2.60 GAA)

• Proven ability to function effectively in tandem with a starter

• Likely cheaper ($1.5M–$2M range, possibly even a one-year deal)

• Less pressure = more consistent performance profile

• Strong fit as a true 1B behind Ullmark

Negatives:

• Lower ceiling than Skinner

• Less proven long-term track record as a starter

• Not likely to “steal” a playoff series or take over a net

• Smaller sample size of elite-level upside

Summary of the two goalies.

Ingram is the low-risk, stabilizing choice. He won’t overwhelm, but he also won’t sink the team.

Final Goalie Grades & Recommendation

Stuart Skinner: C+ (High Risk / Medium Reward)

• Talent is there, but volatility and cap hit make this a swing play.

Connor Ingram: B+ (Low Risk / Solid Fit)

• Reliable, affordable, and he fits Ottawa’s structure better.

Verdict: Which goalie should Ottawa choose?

If the Senators are trying to build a playoff-calibre structure around Ullmark, the answer leans clearly toward Connor Ingram.

Skinner is the more intriguing name, but he comes with too much uncertainty for a team that already needs stability behind its starter. Ingram is not flashy, but he is the type of backup who quietly saves you 6–10 points over a season just by not losing games. In a tight Atlantic Division race, that matters more than upside theory.

Final recommendation: Connor Ingram (B+ fit, safer structure choice).