Stuart Skinner and goaltending have been one of the main talking points this past summer in Edmonton. Oilers fans were hoping the organization would address the goalie position in some capacity, but so far, they’ve stood pat, and it seems they’ll be running back the tandem of Skinner and Calvin Pickard.

Fans were relieved to learn this past offseason that the team moved on from Dustin Schwartz and hired a new goalie coach, <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/peter-aubry-bring-edmonton-oilers-goalie-coach">Peter Aubry</a>. Going into the 25-26 season, the spotlight will still be large on Stuart Skinner, but there has been a positive development regarding the Oilers&#8217; netminder.
It was <a href="https://x.com/CKerneyWriter/status/1967214452656558299">Caleb Kerney on X</a> who pointed out comments by Bob Stauffer on 880 CHED on Friday, September 12, that Skinner has looked completely different.
In full, here’s what Stauffer had to say, in conversation with Oilers GM Stan Bowman.
<blockquote>“Far be it for a guy who hasn’t been under 200 lbs since 1987 to be judging another dude on his body composition, but Stuart Skinner looks completely different. He looks quicker, he looks more agile and, frankly, physically, when you see him up close, it’s obvious he’s dropped some weight.”</blockquote>
Bowman added to those comments.
<blockquote>“I actually saw Stu earlier this week in the kitchen before going on the ice. The first thing I noticed is he looked thin, and I said, ‘Wow, you look different,’ and he said, ‘Yeah, I wanted to try something different, be a little bit lighter this year, and I feel great.’ And he does. He looks good, he looks quick on the ice, and talking with Peter Aubry, who they’ve formed a really great connection with — Stu and I talked about that — he’s really excited about the connection they’ve formed over the summer. They’ve spent a lot of time with each other talking about the game, talking about his game, and really, it’s like a fresh approach to the season.
“I think when you add it all up, there are a lot of reasons for excitement coming into the season to see Stu.”</blockquote>
Hopefully, this will give Oilers fans a bit more optimism around Stuart Skinner. While he has his supporters, many doubt him, especially with how up and down last season went for him.
Now, only time will tell if these changes from Skinner will improve his performance. Not only has he worked on his body, but he also sounds very driven going into 25-26, mentioning to the media a few weeks ago his desire to make <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/edmonton-oilers-stuart-skinner-new-goalie-coach-goal-play-team-canada-stanley-cup">Team Canada’s roster</a> for the 2026 Winter Olympics and return to the Stanley Cup Final.

Stuart Skinner and goaltending have been one of the main talking points this past summer in Edmonton. Oilers fans were hoping the organization would address the goalie position in some capacity, but so far, they’ve stood pat, and it seems they’ll be running back the tandem of Skinner and Calvin Pickard.



Fans were relieved to learn this past offseason that the team moved on from Dustin Schwartz and hired a new goalie coach, <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/peter-aubry-bring-edmonton-oilers-goalie-coach">Peter Aubry</a>. Going into the 25-26 season, the spotlight will still be large on Stuart Skinner, but there has been a positive development regarding the Oilers' netminder.

It was <a href="https://x.com/CKerneyWriter/status/1967214452656558299">Caleb Kerney on X</a> who pointed out comments by Bob Stauffer on 880 CHED on Friday, September 12, that Skinner has looked completely different.

In full, here’s what Stauffer had to say, in conversation with Oilers GM Stan Bowman.
<blockquote>“Far be it for a guy who hasn’t been under 200 lbs since 1987 to be judging another dude on his body composition, but Stuart Skinner looks completely different. He looks quicker, he looks more agile and, frankly, physically, when you see him up close, it’s obvious he’s dropped some weight.”</blockquote>
Bowman added to those comments.
<blockquote>“I actually saw Stu earlier this week in the kitchen before going on the ice. The first thing I noticed is he looked thin, and I said, ‘Wow, you look different,’ and he said, ‘Yeah, I wanted to try something different, be a little bit lighter this year, and I feel great.’ And he does. He looks good, he looks quick on the ice, and talking with Peter Aubry, who they’ve formed a really great connection with — Stu and I talked about that — he’s really excited about the connection they’ve formed over the summer. They’ve spent a lot of time with each other talking about the game, talking about his game, and really, it’s like a fresh approach to the season.

“I think when you add it all up, there are a lot of reasons for excitement coming into the season to see Stu.”</blockquote>
Hopefully, this will give Oilers fans a bit more optimism around Stuart Skinner. While he has his supporters, many doubt him, especially with how up and down last season went for him.

Now, only time will tell if these changes from Skinner will improve his performance. Not only has he worked on his body, but he also sounds very driven going into 25-26, mentioning to the media a few weeks ago his desire to make <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/edmonton-oilers-stuart-skinner-new-goalie-coach-goal-play-team-canada-stanley-cup">Team Canada’s roster</a> for the 2026 Winter Olympics and return to the Stanley Cup Final.

Oilers’ Stuart Skinner ‘looks completely different’ coming into training camp this year

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