NHL Rumors: Top insider pours cold water on Stuart Skinner trade chatter once and for all

Trade speculation around Stuart Skinner continues to run with the Edmonton Oilers looking weak in their net. However, according to one of the league’s most trusted insiders, fans shouldn’t expect a goaltending shake-up anytime soon.

Speaking on Hello Hockey, NHL insider David Pagnotta addressed the rising noise surrounding Edmonton’s netminding struggles. Their starter, Stuart Skinner, was getting linked in trades, but he made it clear that a trade is unlikely for now.

"I get that that's the primary focal point," Pagnotta said. "But I don't think the Oilers feel that's the primary focal point right now for a couple of reasons. One, they just can't afford to do it.

"That's, like, the primary thing; yes, they would like to improve almost any area of their roster. They're in a tough spot now. They have a lot of cap space in the summer, and that'll help,"

Pagnotta noted that while the team would like to improve the roster, the current salary-cap constraints leave management handcuffed. He added that despite frequent links to goalies like Tristan Jarry, Jordan Binnington, Juuse Saros, and Elvis Merzlikins, the Oilers cannot squeeze in a major move without sending out significant money. In other words, the chatter isn’t matching reality.

"So whether it's the flip of the week in Tristan Jarry or last week, which was Jordan Binnington the week before with Saros, and the week before that was Merzlikins," Pagnotta said. "Like, yes, those are probably going to help. But how do you afford it? Cap-wise?"

According to Pagnotta, cap flexibility will increase this summer, which may open the door to meaningful roster changes. Until then, the Oilers’ playoff hopes rest on internal improvement to find their footing before the season slips away.

Stuart Skinner and Pickard's concerning performance amid the Oilers' slow start

The Edmonton Oilers' goaltending issues are well documented. Stuart Skinner (9-7-3, 3.00 GAA, .885 SV%, 2 SO) and Calvin Pickard (2-3-2, 4.04 GAA, .847 SV%) have both delivered underwhelming performances. For a team with playoff aspirations, those numbers simply aren’t good enough.

Yet Edmonton remains committed to the Skinner-Pickard tandem for the 2025–26 season, hoping improvement comes from within rather than from a costly, lateral trade.

Their inconsistent play mirrors the Oilers’ broader season. At 11-10-5, Edmonton sits sixth in the Pacific Division. Offensively, they’re strong with stars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl leading the charge. But defensively, the team is leaking 3.58 goals per game, undermining a lethal 30.2 percent power play.