NHL trade: Thoughts from the media on the Edmonton Oilers-Pittsburgh Penguins trade

The Edmonton Oilers acquired goaltender Tristan Jarry and forward Samuel Poulin, with the Pittsburgh Penguins receiving goaltender Stuar Skinner, defenseman Brett Kulak and a 2029 second-round pick.

Puck Pedia: The Oilers added $850,000 in salary-cap hit after this morning’s trades and not including Sam Poulin’s AHL cap hit in the AHL.

In:
Jarry Yr 3/5 $5.375M
Stastney Yr 2/2 $825K-RFA
Poulin Yr 2/2 $775K (in AHL) – pending G6 UFA

Out:
Skinner Yr 3/3 $2.6M-UFA
Kulak Yr 4/4 $2.75M-UFA ’29 2nd

NHL: Edmonton Oilers GM Stan Bowman:

“I think it’s not so much a comment on Stuart Skinner, it’s just really maybe time for something different here. But I think we wanted to make sure that the person we were bringing in, we felt confident.”

Thoughts from the media

Mark Spector: “Jarry for Skinner a bit of a lateral move – Jarry still has to prove he can carry the load for a top team. But we’ve believed for a while that the skaters needed a new goalie, that they’ve lost some belief in Skinner. Still a 1-2 tandem in EDM. Not 1 and 1A.”

Jason Gregor: “Oilers gave up a lot for Jarry…he needs to play well. Jarry’s ceiling is likely higher than Skinner, he’s played great this year, but only 14 games. Less playoff experience. Trade tells me the organization just wanted to make a change. Didn’t feel Skinner was the answer. And giving up a 3rd for Stastney… only has 80 NHL games experience. They must like him.”

Joe Brand: “I would say Tristan Jarry’s confidence was the biggest difference from last year to this year. From rebound control, to puck handling, to how aggressive he was in the crease. Wish him the best with the Edmonton Oilers… who are in town on Tuesday.”

Matt Larkin: “Stuart Skinner struggled with inconsistency and confidence. His replacement is a year removed from allowing a goal on the first shot of a game six times in 22 games and being waived and demoted to the AHL. All the best to Tristan Jarry, but are we *sure* this was the solution?”

• Dobber: “This. Change can’t hurt, but most of the names bandied about for Skinner were not true upgrades for Skinner, Jarry included. But it’s a change, and different systems work for different goalies.”

Mitch Gallo: “Like I said originally, goalies are basically all the same. There’s NOBODY out there that people would consider to be a significant upgrade.”

Adam Gretz: “Connor McDavid didn’t take a raise so Stan Bowman could spend future money on Tristan Jarry to help him try to win a Stanley Cup.”

Cam Robinson: “Askarov was traded. Knight was traded. Wallstedt was sitting on the podium waiting for you on draft day. Hell, Silovs was available for spare change. Edmonton only has itself to blame for its goaltending situation.”

Mario Tirabassi: “Oilers said they weren’t going to make a lateral move at goaltender. Then make a lateral move at goaltender. Stan Bowman (shoulder shrug emoji)”

Byron Bader: “Is there much of an upgrade from Skinner to Jarry really? If you’re going to go for it, go for it. Don’t just paint the corners and acquire a goalie that isn’t much of an upgrade.”

Dobber: “Skinner now in a shared duties situation with Silovs Intrigued about Poulin. I know his typical prospect window has passed, but he’s a power forward and 24, and seems to be putting it together finally. Oilers farm isn’t deep! Jarry’s value goes up a lot, obviously.”