The Edmonton Oilers, a franchise with five Stanley Cup titles since their NHL debut following the 1979 WHA merger, have yet to capture the trophy since 1990. After back-to-back appearances in the Stanley Cup Finals during the 2022 and 2023 seasons, hopes are high that the 2023-2024 campaign could finally lead to a championship. Central to these aspirations is the need for bolstering the goaltending position, focusing on a Stuart Skinner goaltending upgrade to solidify the net.
Despite the consecutive Finals runs, the Oilers failed to secure a championship, falling twice to the Florida Panthers. The 2023 series exposed weaknesses between the pipes that Edmonton aims to address moving forward.
Struggles in Goal Highlight the Need for Improvements
Stuart Skinner, Edmonton’s 26-year-old starting goaltender, faced significant challenges in the 2023 Stanley Cup Final. Across the series, he allowed 19 goals on 137 shots, resulting in a disappointing .861 save percentage, well below his regular-season and career averages of approximately .906. These underwhelming numbers forced head coach Kris Knoblauch to bench Skinner during multiple games, replacing him with veteran backup Calvin Pickard.
Skinner’s difficulties stood out not only due to the performance but also because of his connection to the city; born and raised in Edmonton as the youngest of nine children, he was drafted 78th overall by the Oilers in 2017. The goaltender’s setbacks raised questions about his role as the team’s primary netminder if Edmonton hopes to return to the Stanley Cup Final and finally win.
Following the season, general manager Sam Bowman acknowledged that goaltending required an upgrade but highlighted the challenge:
“just go down to the corner and pick up an elite goalie. They’re not just waiting to join your team, right?”
—Sam Bowman, Edmonton GM
Proposing a Competitive Goaltending Tandem with Ilya Samsonov
Edmonton correspondent Caleb Kerney suggested a practical solution in a recent analysis, recommending the Oilers pursue Ilya Samsonov, a free-agent goaltender, as a cost-effective option to spur competition for Skinner and create a 1A/1B netminder setup. Samsonov, 28, played last season with the Vegas Golden Knights on a $1.8 million contract, bringing experience and affordability.
Kerney detailed four reasons why Samsonov fits Edmonton’s goals for a Stuart Skinner goaltending upgrade:
1. Affordability Makes Samsonov a Low-Risk Investment
After departing the Washington Capitals, who drafted him in the first round in 2015, Samsonov’s contracts have been modest. Kerney noted,
“Samsonov’s last four contracts have all been very affordable, with three of the four costing $2 million or less. The most he’s been paid on a one-year deal was $3.55 million,”
—Caleb Kerney, The Hockey News
This financial flexibility allows Edmonton to strengthen their goaltending without compromising salary cap space.
2. Experience in High-Pressure Hockey Destinations
Samsonov has already faced the intensity of demanding hockey markets throughout his career. In addition to Washington and Las Vegas, he spent two seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs, a team located in Canada’s most passionate hockey city and part of the NHL’s Original Six franchises. As Kerney described, this experience is a feather in his cap for handling intense competition environments.
3. Familiarity With Shared Goalie Duties
Samsonov is accustomed to sharing playing time in a 1A/1B goalie system. During his tenure in Washington, he nearly split the net with Vitek Vanecek, gaining familiarity with balancing performance and workload within a tandem setup—exactly the configuration Edmonton hopes to use alongside Skinner.
4. Demonstrated Superior Metrics Compared to Current Backup
Kerney referred to NHL Edge data showing Samsonov outperformed both Skinner and backup Calvin Pickard in key statistical categories. He wrote,
“According to NHL Edge data, he was better than both Skinner and Pickard in two key areas: high-danger save percentage and mid-range save percentage,”
further noting,
“Samsonov boasted a .814 HDSV and an .871 MRSV. Samsonov was better in both metrics compared to Pickard. Samsonov’s HDSV was better than Skinner’s, but Skinner held a better MRSV.”
—Caleb Kerney, The Hockey News
These numbers indicate Samsonov could elevate the Oilers’ goaltending quality beyond what Pickard currently offers and challenge Skinner to maintain high performance.
Significance of Adding Samsonov to the Oilers Roster
Introducing Ilya Samsonov as a competitive partner in goal could be the pivotal move Edmonton needs to support their Stanley Cup ambitions. The tandem approach promises to push Skinner’s development and performance through internal competition while addressing the weakness revealed in the recent Finals. Moreover, Samsonov’s affordable salary and proven experience in high-stakes environments make him a practical fit without the risk of overextending the team’s budget.
The Oilers’ ability to secure this goaltending upgrade will be closely watched as they prepare for the upcoming season, aiming to transform near misses into a long-awaited Stanley Cup victory.