The Edmonton Oilers have captured five Stanley Cup titles since entering the NHL through the 1979 WHA merger. However, they haven’t hoisted the Cup since 1990, and prior to the 2023–24 season, they had returned to the Stanley Cup Final just once.
That changed recently, as the Oilers made consecutive appearances in the NHL championship series over the past two seasons—marking a significant shift for the franchise, originally founded in 1972 as part of the World Hockey Association.
Unfortunately, both trips ended in defeat to the Florida Panthers. Their most recent loss, in a series that concluded on June 17, highlighted a glaring problem: goaltending.
Skinner Struggles in Stanley Cup Final
Edmonton’s primary goaltender, Stuart Skinner, 26, fell short in the Finals, allowing 19 goals on 137 shots—a save percentage of just .861. That’s roughly 35 points below his regular-season average and even further off his .906 career mark.
His inconsistent play prompted head coach Kris Knoblauch to bench him multiple times during games, opting for veteran backup Calvin Pickard. These mid-game substitutions were undoubtedly tough for Skinner, a hometown product and the youngest of nine siblings, who realized a childhood dream when the Oilers selected him 78th overall in the 2017 NHL Draft.
Now, the Oilers face a critical decision regarding Skinner if they hope to make a third straight run at the Cup—and win it.
In a postseason media session, general manager Sam Bowman acknowledged the need to improve the goaltending position. But he also noted the difficulty of acquiring top-tier talent, saying, “You can’t just go down to the corner and pick up an elite goalie. They’re not just waiting to join your team.”
A Cost-Effective Option to Challenge Skinner
Caleb Kerney of The Hockey News suggested in a recent column that Edmonton should consider signing Ilya Samsonov as a way to push Skinner and create a more competitive “1A/1B” goalie tandem.
Kerney highlighted four key reasons why Samsonov, who recently became a free agent after a $1.8 million deal with the Vegas Golden Knights, would be a great fit for the Oilers:
- Affordable Contract History
Since leaving the Washington Capitals (who drafted him in the first round in 2015), Samsonov has consistently signed low-cost deals, never exceeding $3.55 million on a one-year contract. - Experience in Pressure-Filled Markets
Samsonov has handled the pressure of playing in demanding hockey environments—first in Washington, then in Toronto, and most recently Vegas. His time with the Maple Leafs, especially, demonstrated his ability to thrive under intense media and fan scrutiny. - Familiarity with Tandem Goalie Roles
The Russian goalie has previously shared the net in Washington with Vitek Vanecek, making him well-suited for a split-duty setup in Edmonton. - An Upgrade Over Pickard
Kerney argued that Samsonov would provide stronger competition for Skinner than Pickard. Based on NHL Edge data, Samsonov outperformed both Oilers goalies in high-danger and mid-range save percentages (.814 HDSV and .871 MRSV). While Skinner had a better MRSV, Samsonov edged him in HDSV—and was superior to Pickard in both categories.
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