The Edmonton Oilers, once again led by their captain Connor McDavid, head into the upcoming 2025-26 NHL season with mixed emotions. After losing the Stanley Cup Final for the second straight year to the Florida Panthers, the team is now forced to reinvent itself.
Goaltender Stuart Skinner, whose inconsistency between the pipes was a defining trait of the postseason, is not only reflecting on what happened but also trying to lead from an emotional standpoint, turning frustration into motivation to come back stronger.
His future with the Oilers remains uncertain, as the front office continues to evaluate every move. With speculation around a possible trade involving Skinner, McDavid’s teammate has finally broken his silence to drop a truth bomb.
Skinner’s statement on the Oilers
“I think going through it the first time, you go through that experience in the summer and then you realize the things you did well and the things you didn’t do well,” Skinner said in an interview with Derek Van Dies of NHL.com.
Stuart Skinner #74 of the Edmonton Oilers tends net against the Florida Panthers in Game One of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Place on June 04, 2025 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
“So going through it a second time, which is obviously devastating, but being able to say you went through this does actually help you get over it quicker, just because you have to go back into training and do it all over again,” Skinner reflected.
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McDavid’s situation
The past is behind them. The Panthers once again lifted the Cup in six games, defeating Edmonton with a commanding 5-1 victory in the decisive clash. At the same time, the Oilers must now address McDavid’s contract extension, as their superstar enters the final year of his deal with the franchise. In that context, Skinner’s words serve as an invitation to look ahead with renewed optimism.
