Oilers Done With Skinner? The Truth About the Trade Market

After a devastating 9-1 defeat to the Colorado Avalanche, frustration in Edmonton has reached a peak. Many fans are directing their anger at goaltender Stuart Skinner, echoing calls for a trade amid growing disappointment.

Insider Mark Spector stated that the Edmonton Oilers “are done with this netminder.”

Such words spread fast because they offer a simple answer to a complex failure — assigning blame to one player when the truth runs deeper. Watching a team crumble like that, with opposing forwards left free to score, inevitably fuels the desire for accountability.

However, making a rash move would be a fatal mistake. The real issue lies beyond the crease. As Spector correctly pointed out, the skaters in front of Skinner stopped competing. Regardless of whether they quit on him or themselves, the effect was the same: no goalie could have survived that bombardment. Even elite names like Hellebuyck, Shesterkin, or Saros would have struggled behind that defense.

The sheer number of unguarded players around the net reveals the truth — this was a collective failure, not an individual collapse. The notion that trading for a savior goalie would fix everything oversimplifies a deep structural problem.

Calls for an aggressive trade strategy may sound appealing on paper, but reality paints a different picture. The goalie trade market is shallow, especially when searching for a reliable starter, and no general manager is eager to part with a franchise-level netminder this early in the season.

Conclusion

Edmonton’s challenge isn’t just between the pipes — it’s about restoring effort and trust before seeking solutions elsewhere.

Author’s Summary

The Oilers' frustration after their 9-1 loss reflects team-wide struggles, exposing deeper defensive issues no quick trade could fix.

NHL Trade Rumors — 2025-11-09