Stuart Skinner seizing Jets’ crease as Hellebuyck drama continues

Stuart Skinner is on fire, and Winnipeg’s crowd is already chanting, “Stuu!”

The former Edmonton Oilers goalie is off to a strong start and has become a fan favourite. Skinner is 2-0-1, with a 2.62 GAA and a .920 save percentage. He’s made 92 saves on 99 shots, only giving up seven goals in the first three games. Skinner is the Jets’ number one goalie, with newly acquired Clay Stevenson as his backup. Early in the season, he’s showing the form that helped the Oilers reach two Stanley Cup finals.

Skinner has become Winnipeg’s starter because Connor Hellebuyck requested a trade. Even though the three-time Vezina Trophy-winning goalie has a contract with the Jets, he has publicly stated he wants out.

“Several months ago, I privately requested a trade,” said Hellebuyck. “I have tried to handle the situation quietly and respectfully while giving the organization time to explore its options. With training camp approaching, I felt it was important to publicly confirm my request. My position has not changed, and I believe moving on is the best path forward for me and my family.”

The team suspended the American netminder on Sept. 16, and he’s missed training camp and the start of the season.

The Hellebuyck drama hasn’t affected Skinner

Hellebuyck has followed the lead of some of his U.S. Olympic teammates in demanding a trade. Quinn Hughes and Brady Tkachuk are other American players who have recently left their teams for greener pastures. At this point it seems like Hellebuyck has played his last game as a Jet.

Clearly a lot is going on in Winnipeg off the ice, and somehow Skinner is still playing well. Even with fans in an uproar and the media spotlight on the Jets, he has performed above expectations. Although No.74 seemed to struggle in the spotlight in Edmonton, he’s on his game at the moment. It has probably helped that expectations were low when the ex-Oiler arrived. After Skinner was signed to a two-year deal this summer, Jets fans immediately began to debate whether he would become the new starting goalie.

Should the Oilers have traded Skinner?

Last season, Edmonton traded Skinner, defenceman Brett Kulak, and a draft pick for goaltender Tristan Jarry and minor leaguer Samuel Poulin. After the trade, Skinner had this to say:

“There’s not a moment that I didn’t try to do my best in Edmonton. I don’t have any regrets the way that I handled things. Perseverance, strength, kind of go down the list of what I tried to do for the organization…I’m very proud of what I was able to do down there. Could I have made an extra save or two? Absolutely. I’ll probably say that here. That’s kind of part of being a goalie and being a person. You keep on growing, keep on learning, but I always did my best and I will never stop doing my best.”

Meanwhile, it hasn’t worked out well for Jarry and the Oilers. Right now, young Devon Levi is getting more starts with Edmonton. Jarry let in six goals in his only game and will start on Saturday against the San Jose Sharks.

At the time of the trade, there was a lot of debate about whether it was the right move. That same question could be asked now. Did the Oilers need to trade Skinner? Was this a lateral move that brought in an older goalie? Should Edmonton have had Pittsburgh retain some of Jarry’s salary? Why did Kulak have to be moved as well? These are all fair questions. However, Skinner had underperformed for the Oilers in key moments and management and/or ownership wanted a change. It’s also notable that his numbers with the Penguins were worse after he was traded from Edmonton. Skinner had a 12-9-5 record, a 2.99 GAA, and an .885 save percentage with Pittsburgh.

Will the Oilers meet Skinner in the playoffs?

There is a distinct possibility the Oilers could end up having Skinner as an opponent down the line. Winnipeg has the talent to come out of the Central Division and face Edmonton in the playoffs. That would be an epic showdown. The two teams have completely different strengths, it would be a clash of styles. Goaltending would be front and centre in a series between the two old rivals.

Some pundits are already discussing whether the Skinner and Stevenson goalie tandem will be successful in the long term. Even with Skinner’s hot start, some doubt still lingers. If Hellebuyck doesn’t return, we’ll have to see how the new duo performs over the long run.

Many Skinner fans in Edmonton still wish him the best. This will be a wild ride for Winnipeg no matter what happens.