Now that the Pittsburgh Penguins have been eliminated from the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the work is going to begin for general manager Kyle Dubas on the offseason with regard to the club’s pending unrestricted free agents.
The most notable unrestricted free agent for the Penguins is forward Evgeni Malkin, who just completed the final year of his contract and is either facing retirement or perhaps a new professional destination.
However, another pending unrestricted free agent is goaltender Stuart Skinner, who was acquired by the Penguins in a blockbuster trade in December from the Edmonton Oilers for Tristan Jarry. Multiple reports indicate that the Penguins don’t intend to re-sign him, and it looks as though there is already a frontrunner for his services.
Pending UFA Pittsburgh Penguins Goaltender Stuart Skinner Is Expected To Be Targeted By The Ottawa Senators
According to NHL Insider Bruce Garrioch, the Ottawa Senators are expected to be in the mix for Skinner, and lists the connection of current GM Steve Staios to Skinner from their days with the Oilers.
“A name to keep an eye on is Pittsburgh Penguins unrestricted free agent Stuart Skinner. Staios was part of the Edmonton organization before he came to the Senators,” Garrioch wrote. “The expectation is he won’t be back with the Penguins next season and the belief is he will be among Ottawa’s top targets in free agency.”
The Senators are already set at the starter’s position thanks to the presence of Linus Ullmark, who was acquired before the start of last season from the Boston Bruins and signed to a multi-year extension. But with the uncertainty at the backup position, Skinner could fill that role behind Ullmark, and isn’t likely to command a hefty salary.
Stuart Skinner Was Acquired By The Penguins From The Oilers In December
Skinner had been between the pipes for the Edmonton Oilers in each of their last two trips to the Stanley Cup Final, though he faltered when the games mattered the most; the Oilers were also forced to use backup Calvin Pickard at various points during both runs.
The Oilers traded him to the Penguins in mid-December along with Brett Kulak for Tristan Jarry and Sam Poulin, and there were multiple times following his acquisition that he appeared to be starting material for Pittsburgh.
But once again, just as he did during his time in Edmonton, Skinner’s stats began to decline when they mattered.
He started the first three games of the postseason against the Flyers, posting a .873 save percentage and an 0-3 record before being replaced by Arturs Silovs.
Taken by the Oilers in the third round (78th overall) of the 2017 NHL Draft, Skinner has compiled a record of 121-71-23 with a 2.77 goals-against average, a .902 save percentage, and nine shutouts.
His postseason stats aren’t quite as strong, as he’s gone 26-25 with a 2.89 goals-against average, a .899 save percentage, and four shutouts.
If Skinner does ultimately land with the Senators, it would potentially give him more of a chance to thrive when the starting responsibilities don’t fall on his shoulders.
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