Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner has had a difficult start to the season, raising concerns about his spot on Team Canada’s roster for the upcoming Four Nations Faceoff and possibly even the Olympics.
Recently, *Daily Faceoff* revealed their top goalie candidates for Canada’s roster, and Skinner was notably left off the list. Initially considered a contender, he has since been replaced by Samuel Montembeault, who is expected to have a breakout year with the Canadiens. Analyst Matt Larkin pointed to Skinner’s inconsistency as a major factor in his exclusion from the roster.
Skinner has only been the Oilers’ starting goalie for two full seasons, with mixed results. His rookie season was impressive, boasting a .914 save percentage, but last year he saw a dip to .904, making his early struggles this year more concerning. NHL goalie analyst Steve Valiquette further critiqued Skinner, noting that he ranks as the worst goalie in the league when it comes to lateral movement, raising doubts about whether Skinner is capable of backstopping a Cup-contending team.
Despite these concerns, Skinner has shown flashes of brilliance, where he looks like a starter who could lead the Oilers to success. However, the issue is sustaining that level of performance. Many Oilers fans are beginning to wonder if the team should seek a more proven goalie as they pursue a Stanley Cup.
As for Team Canada’s top two goalie spots, most analysts believe the selections will be Jordan Binnington and Adin Hill, both of whom have had strong performances in recent years and are seen as frontrunners. While Skinner’s chances of making the team may be slipping, Oilers fans will continue to support their national team and the Canadian stars on the roster.