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Elliotte Friedman Reveals the Most Scrutinized Player in the League Plays for the Oilers


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Daniel Lucente
March 12, 2025  (11:16)
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Stuart Skinner receives props by his Edmonton Oilers teammates after a win
Photo credit: Edit from Toronto Star

Elliotte Friedman was recently with insider Bob Stauffer, where he mentioned that Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner is arguably the most scrutinized NHL player.

Sportsnet NHL insider Elliotte Friedman told Bob Stauffer on 'Oilers Now' recently that there may not be a player in the league facing more pressure than Edmonton Oilers netminder Stuart Skinner.
"You know, he made some really good saves," Friedman said of Skinner, "But he gave up some really rough goals and they lost. So that's what we're focusing on right now.

Like, you know, the Oilers made a choice at the deadline, and I think it was a defensible one, with what I think was potentially available to them in goal. They said, 'When you add in the acquisition cost, it just wasn't worth it.'

I think it is - from what I can tell, knowing I don't know everything - I think you can say it's at least a defensible position. You know, I know a lot of people talk about (Anaheim goalie John) Gibson, but the health thing is, it's a thing."

On Monday versus Buffalo, Skinner allowed a soft rebound goal, while Sabres netminder Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen stole a 3-2 win. Luukkonen faced 20 Grade A shots (five off the post), while just nine were faced by Skinner.
Friedman is as connected as anyone in hockey, so if he says Skinner is under the most pressure, it's a fair bet.
"You know, I think right now, as we go into the last 20 games of the regular season and head towards the playoffs, there might not be a more scrutinized player in the league than Stuart Skinner."

- Elliotte Friedman

Of course, several Oilers are under tremendous pressure: Connor McDavid, Evan Bouchard, Viktor Arvidsson, and Calvin Pickard among them. But the spotlight on Skinner is particularly intense.

It's not all on Skinner, as the Oilers defense needs to be better

If Edmonton has any hope for the Stanley Cup, they must tighten their rush defense. That would bail out Skinner, but he also must step it up himself. He must stop giving up soft goals, a theme in this slump.
The positive? He's been in these pressure-cooker situations before and bounced back. Skinner has shown the focus, mindset, and resiliency to do that again.
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Elliotte Friedman Reveals the Most Scrutinized Player in the League Plays for the Oilers

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