Trade deadline, head coach Jay Woodcroft confirms.
Paraphrased Version:
Edmonton Oilers analyst Louie DeBrusk recently addressed rumors that the team might be looking to acquire an additional goaltender at the trade deadline. He expressed opposition to the idea, believing a midseason trade would send the wrong message to current goaltender Stuart Skinner. Ironically, though, his comments may have unintentionally highlighted a major issue with Skinner’s play—that a message might actually need to be sent. Trade deadline, head coach Jay Woodcroft confirms.
DeBrusk pointed out Skinner’s tendency to allow early goals. While praising the Oilers for being a resilient team that can fight back from early deficits, he may have inadvertently shed light on how often Skinner puts them in difficult positions. “He really settles in after letting in two or three early,” DeBrusk said.
Is Skinner Putting the Oilers in Tough Situations?
What was meant to be a defense of Skinner and a compliment to the team’s perseverance came across to some fans as confirmation that Skinner can’t always be trusted early in games. Although DeBrusk likely didn’t intend to suggest this, the statistics tell their own story.
According to @bonejrp, Skinner has allowed three goals in the first period five times in the past ten games, often forcing the Oilers to play from behind. 13 of the previous 27 goals against Edmonton have also occurred within five minutes of one another. Some of this can undoubtedly be attributed to Skinner, but not all of it can. We hear phrases like “He’d probably like that one back” far too frequently.
The Risks of Chasing Games
DeBrusk is right in saying the Oilers are rarely out of a game. They’ve repeatedly shown they can erase deficits, no matter how large. But in the playoffs, when there’s less time to recover, constantly falling behind can be disastrous.
Should the Oilers Have a Backup Plan?
DeBrusk argued that bringing in another goalie midseason could disrupt team chemistry and send a signal that the organization doesn’t trust Skinner. He also believes Skinner deserves the chance to prove himself as the team’s go-to goalie. Both are valid points. However, history shows that a timely goalie acquisition can sometimes make all the difference.
In 2006, the Oilers acquired Dwayne Roloson midseason, and he led the team on a surprise run to the Stanley Cup Final. At that time, the Oilers clearly needed an upgrade in net. That’s not necessarily the case this season, but having a reliable backup option in case Skinner falters might still be crucial. Trade deadline, head coach Jay Woodcroft confirms.
If Skinner’s struggles continue and things get worse before the March 7 trade deadline, the Oilers may have no choice but to explore other options.
