Former Edmonton Oilers netminder, Stuart Skinner is settling into life as a Pittsburgh Penguin and by all accounts, the change of scenery is working out well for the 27-year-old goaltender.
In a recent interview with the Hockey News, Skinner opened up about his transition following the December 12 trade that sent him to Pennsylvania in exchange for Tristan Jarry. His comments offered some interesting insight into the differences between his two NHL stops and what appeared to be a subtle jab at his former organization.
While Skinner stopped short of directly criticizing the Oilers, his pointed remarks about feeling supported and the overall positive atmosphere in Pittsburgh seemed to suggest things weren't quite the same in Edmonton. The contrast he drew between the two organizations was hard to miss.
Skinner speaks candidly about organizational differences
The most revealing moment came when Skinner described the atmosphere surrounding his new team. The goaltender painted a vivid picture of the cultural difference between the two organizations.
"Yeah, it feels great. Definitely a big difference in terms of, kind of, the feelings," Skinner explained. He went on to elaborate on what makes Pittsburgh special: "I think here, it's honestly just a great feeling. I feel like everyone's really rooting for you and is really 'all together.'"
The netminder mentioned the family-oriented nature of his new team, stating, "Just the whole feeling around this room, it's been nothing but positive here." Perhaps most pointedly, he added, "I already kind of forget what it was like in Edmonton."
Skinner also made it clear his game has benefited from the move. "I feel like it's gotten better and better every single game that I've played," he noted acknowledging that his first game against his former team was challenging, something he had previously admitted, before he settled into his process of improvement.
Stuart Skinner is on a hot streak
After posting pedestrian statistics at the initial stretch of the season that eventually triggered the trade, Stuart Skinner has again transformed into the reliable netminder we have seen time and time again in Edmonton.
His recent stretch has been nothing short of spectacular with four straight quality starts featuring save percentages of .964, .917, .966 and .947. Over seven appearances with Pittsburgh, Skinner has maintained an impressive 2.34 goals-against average, performance that qualifies as elite by any standard.
This resurgence has also helped the Penguins inject themselves into the competitive Eastern Conference playoff race. Partnering with Arturs Silovs in goal, Skinner has provided the stability Pittsburgh desperately needed between the pipes.
What went wrong in Edmonton?
The trade was a necessary reset for both parties. Skinner's confidence appeared shattered during his final weeks as an Oiler unable to string together consistent performances or recover from difficult outings. The pressure of backstopping a Stanley Cup contender seemed to weigh heavily on the young goaltender.
His latest comments suggest the support structure wasn't what he needed in Edmonton. The contrast he draws between feeling like everyone is rooting for him in Pittsburgh versus his Edmonton experience seemingly speaks volumes about the environment that contributed to his struggles.
For Edmonton, watching Skinner thrive elsewhere must sting particularly given their continued goaltending concerns. The Oilers had hoped he would be the netminder to carry them to Stanley Cup glory this season, but instead he is doing it in a Penguins uniform.
For Pittsburgh, they may have just discovered a potential long-term solution at a position that has plagued them for years. The goaltender's acknowledgment that the positive atmosphere has been enjoyable suggests he has found a home where he can flourish.
As Skinner continues to settle into his role with the Penguins, this again serves as a reminder that sometimes a fresh environment is exactly what a struggling player needs to rediscover their potential. Whether this represents a permanent turnaround or a hot streak remains to be seen, but for now Stuart Skinner is playing some good hockey and he has made it crystal clear he's exactly where he wants to be.