Good morning, everyone, and a happy Monday to you all. As always, I&#8217;ve got a post-draft, pre-free agency mailbag ready to go after taking your questions and sending them to the crew for their take on whatever&#8217;s on your mind. This week, we&#8217;re discussing Stuart Skinner&#8217;s next contract, the new Oilers coaching staff, the 2025-26 schedule, and more. If you’ve got a question you’d like to ask, email it to me at <a class="text-accent" href="mailto:baggedmilk@oilersnation.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">baggedmilk@oilersnation.com</a> or on Twitter at <a class="text-accent" href="https://www.twitter.com/jsbmbaggedmilk" rel="noopener noreferrer">@jsbmbaggedmilk</a>, and I’ll get to you as soon as I can.

<figure id="attachment_176350" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-176350" style="width: 1024px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-large wp-image-176350" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/USATSI_26363837-1-1024x590.jpg" alt="Edmonton Oilers Stan Bowman Kris Knoblauch" width="1024" height="590" srcset="https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/USATSI_26363837-1-1024x590.jpg 1024w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/USATSI_26363837-1-300x173.jpg 300w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/USATSI_26363837-1-768x442.jpg 768w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/USATSI_26363837-1.jpg 1250w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-176350" class="wp-caption-text">Jun 3, 2025; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers general manager Stan Bowman along with Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch are seen during media day in advance of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Walter Tychnowicz-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure>
1) Darren asks &#8211; What differences, if any, do you expect from the Oilers&#8217; style of play now that Kris Knoblauch has his own <a href="https://publish.oilersnation.com/2025/07/14/edmonton-oilers-hire-paul-mcfarland-peter-aubrey-connor-allen-coaching-staff-paul-coffey-departs/">coaching staff</a> for the first time?
Jason Gregor:
They will tweak the PK, but Stuart was here last year, it just didn’t work as well due to different personnel last year. The defense will have a bit more video work with Stuart, but I don’t expect their style of play to change much. They will still want to limit chances off the rush. The one thing I would like to see different is more bodies and layered screens in front of the net.
Tyler Yaremchuk:
I&#8217;m not sure if I&#8217;m the guy to sit here and tell you how exactly the systems are going to change, but I do think that having a few new, fresh voices in the room is a good idea. I&#8217;m also excited to see how Mark Stuart handles the blue line now that it&#8217;s fully his responsibility and Paul Coffey isn&#8217;t in the room anymore. That&#8217;s certainly the area I&#8217;m most intrigued by.
Baggedmilk:
I don&#8217;t think we&#8217;ll see much a difference, tbh. I think that Knoblauch&#8217;s style will still come through, but I think we will see tweaks on the special teams — the PK needed to be better and the PP is losing Glen Gulutzan. Other than that, your guess is as good as mine.
<figure id="attachment_177704" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-177704" style="width: 1024px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-large wp-image-177704" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/USATSI_26413746-1024x683.jpg" alt="Edmonton Oilers Stuart Skinner" width="1024" height="683" srcset="https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/USATSI_26413746-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/USATSI_26413746-300x200.jpg 300w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/USATSI_26413746-768x512.jpg 768w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/USATSI_26413746-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/USATSI_26413746-2048x1366.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-177704" class="wp-caption-text">Jun 9, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Edmonton Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner (74) awaits the start of play against Florida Panthers during the second period in game three of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure>
2) Ben asks &#8211; How do you think Lukas Dostal&#8217;s new contract affects Stuart Skinner&#8217;s upcoming negotiations, given the <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/ask-dubey-changing-goalie-coaches-extension-stuart-skinner-edmonton-oilers">one year left on his contract</a>?
Jason Gregor:
Not much as one single contract. Skinner will be the 38th highest paid goalie this coming season. There are 22 goalies with a $5m+ AAV. There will be many other comparisons to use, and Skinner will likely join that rank especially if he has just a decent season. If he has a good year he could demand $6m.
Tyler Yaremchuk:
Dostal is the better goalie. To be putting up the numbers that he&#8217;s been putting up on a pretty bad Ducks team is very impressive. He&#8217;s also about 18 months younger than Skinner. The Ducks were buying some RFA years with this extension though and Skinner is eligible for unrestricted free agency next summer. That usually means a more expensive contract. Still, the playoff struggles dominate the conversation with Skinner and that will hurt his value, which is weird because Dostal got paid and we have no idea how he&#8217;d handle the pressure of the playoffs. Here&#8217;s my answer: if Skinner takes a step forward this season and delivers in the playoffs, then I think we could see him getting a very similar contract. If he doesn&#8217;t, he&#8217;s probably signing somewhere else next summer.
Baggedmilk:
Skinner&#8217;s camp is going to use all of the highly priced comparables they can find. I would do the same if I was going into a contract negotiation, and we shouldn&#8217;t expect anything less from Skinner&#8217;s agent. The tricky part, of course, will be whether that number matches up with what the Oilers think he should make and if he&#8217;s still in the same role.
&nbsp;
<figure id="attachment_177701" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-177701" style="width: 1024px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-large wp-image-177701" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/USATSI_26376679-1-1024x683.jpg" alt="Edmonton Oilers Stuart Skinner Calvin Pickard" width="1024" height="683" srcset="https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/USATSI_26376679-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/USATSI_26376679-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/USATSI_26376679-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/USATSI_26376679-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/USATSI_26376679-1-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-177701" class="wp-caption-text">Jun 4, 2025; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner (74) reacts with goaltender Calvin Pickard (30) after defeating the Florida Panthers in overtime for game one of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Walter Tychnowicz-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure>
3) James asks &#8211; How confident are you in the Oilers running back <a href="https://oilersnation.com/combinations">the same goalie tandem</a>, or do you still think Stan Bowman will find <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/edmonton-oilers-next-goalie-waiver-wire">a new running mate</a> for Stuart Skinner?
Jason Gregor:
I think they will look at options later in the off-season and during training camp when teams start making cuts. There are some teams who will have to waive a goalie, and while the Oilers would be 24th on the waiver claim, Bowman could offer a draft pick for a few of the goalies who likely will be put on waivers.
Tyler Yaremchuk:
I think we&#8217;ll see Skinner/Pickard to start the year and the team will look to upgrade at the deadline. There isn&#8217;t a clear cut option that the team could realistically acquire but that could change by March.
Baggedmilk:
The longer the summer rolls along, the more I think we&#8217;re running it back again. I did see Jeff Marek&#8217;s idea about Michael DiPietro, and that would make sense to me, but I&#8217;m guessing Stan Bowman would need to make a trade more so that being able to claim him off waivers. Again, I&#8217;m thinking we&#8217;re back to the same pairing whether I like it or not.
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-126625" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Screen-Shot-2023-01-13-at-2.28.49-PM-1024x517.png" alt="" width="783" height="395" srcset="https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Screen-Shot-2023-01-13-at-2.28.49-PM-1024x517.png 1024w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Screen-Shot-2023-01-13-at-2.28.49-PM-300x152.png 300w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Screen-Shot-2023-01-13-at-2.28.49-PM-768x388.png 768w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Screen-Shot-2023-01-13-at-2.28.49-PM-1536x776.png 1536w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Screen-Shot-2023-01-13-at-2.28.49-PM.png 1884w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 783px) 100vw, 783px" />
4) Mason asks &#8211; The Oilers look to have a pretty tough start to <a href="https://oilersnation.com/schedule">their schedule</a> with 17 of 26 being road games. What do they need to do to avoid a third consecutive slow start?
Jason Gregor:
It will be hard. The last 11 Cup Final losers averaged 4-5-1 in their first 10. It is an emotional hurdle that is difficult to get over early in a season. If the Oilers are 11-8-1 or 10-8-2 I’d say that is pretty decent considering past history.
Tyler Yaremchuk:
Get consistent goaltending and get some support scoring. If the bottom six has some really good contributors and both goalies are above a .900, then they&#8217;ll be just fine. Maybe they won&#8217;t go 20-6-0, but we won&#8217;t be panicking the same way that we have been in previous years.
Baggedmilk:
It&#8217;s definitely going to be tough, but the good news is that means a whole pile of home games will be coming down the pipe later in the year. I think the Oilers have to figure out how to stick a few games above .500 the whole time to avoid falling too far behind the rest of the division/western conference standings.
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-78184" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Oilersnation-Open-Golf-Tournament-1-1024x768.jpeg" alt="" width="730" height="548" srcset="https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Oilersnation-Open-Golf-Tournament-1-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Oilersnation-Open-Golf-Tournament-1-300x225.jpeg 300w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Oilersnation-Open-Golf-Tournament-1-768x576.jpeg 768w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Oilersnation-Open-Golf-Tournament-1.jpeg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 730px) 100vw, 730px" />
5) Landon asks &#8211; What should our group expect from our first-ever entry into <a href="https://nationgear.ca/products/2025-oilersnation-golf-tournament" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the Oilersnation Open</a> in August? What does the day look like?
Jason Gregor:
Fun filled day. Pace yourself. Hydrate. Bring cash for some of the on course fun. Expect to hear Yaremchuk talk about the 25 foot putt he just missed. 😊
Tyler Yaremchuk:
All gas from the moment you step on the course in the morning. The energy is so good and regardless of if you have a chance at winning or if you&#8217;re just trying to kick back and have some fun, the day will deliver. It is seriously my favourite day of the year. Everyone is just in an awesome mood.
Baggedmilk:
It&#8217;s one of the best days you can ever have. Everyone who joins us is always so nice and geared up for a fun day of golf, and without a doubt, the ONO is one of my favourite events on our annual calendar. You&#8217;re going to have a blast.
<h2>PRESENTED BY STAR MECHANICAL</h2>
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-146181" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Article-2-SME.png" alt="" width="728" height="404" srcset="https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Article-2-SME.png 728w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Article-2-SME-300x166.png 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 728px) 100vw, 728px" />
Star Mechanical is one of Edmonton’s biggest locally owned and operated plumbing and heating businesses. They have been working within the community for over 20 years, and many of the homes built in Edmonton over the last two decades have had their plumbing and heating systems installed by Star Mechanical.  Visit them at <a href="http://starmechanical.ca/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://starmechanical.ca&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1707492487512000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2mVs3WUkp8iUCZ0kJRe9lJ">starmechanical.ca</a> to schedule an appointment and let them help keep your home running smoothly.

Good morning, everyone, and a happy Monday to you all. As always, I've got a post-draft, pre-free agency mailbag ready to go after taking your questions and sending them to the crew for their take on whatever's on your mind. This week, we're discussing Stuart Skinner's next contract, the new Oilers coaching staff, the 2025-26 schedule, and more. If you’ve got a question you’d like to ask, email it to me at <a class="text-accent" href="mailto:baggedmilk@oilersnation.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">baggedmilk@oilersnation.com</a> or on Twitter at <a class="text-accent" href="https://www.twitter.com/jsbmbaggedmilk" rel="noopener noreferrer">@jsbmbaggedmilk</a>, and I’ll get to you as soon as I can.



[caption id="attachment_176350" align="aligncenter" width="1024"]<img class="size-large wp-image-176350" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/USATSI_26363837-1-1024x590.jpg" alt="Edmonton Oilers Stan Bowman Kris Knoblauch" width="1024" height="590" /> Jun 3, 2025; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers general manager Stan Bowman along with Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch are seen during media day in advance of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Walter Tychnowicz-Imagn Images[/caption]

1) Darren asks - What differences, if any, do you expect from the Oilers' style of play now that Kris Knoblauch has his own <a href="https://publish.oilersnation.com/2025/07/14/edmonton-oilers-hire-paul-mcfarland-peter-aubrey-connor-allen-coaching-staff-paul-coffey-departs/">coaching staff</a> for the first time?

Jason Gregor:

They will tweak the PK, but Stuart was here last year, it just didn’t work as well due to different personnel last year. The defense will have a bit more video work with Stuart, but I don’t expect their style of play to change much. They will still want to limit chances off the rush. The one thing I would like to see different is more bodies and layered screens in front of the net.

Tyler Yaremchuk:

I'm not sure if I'm the guy to sit here and tell you how exactly the systems are going to change, but I do think that having a few new, fresh voices in the room is a good idea. I'm also excited to see how Mark Stuart handles the blue line now that it's fully his responsibility and Paul Coffey isn't in the room anymore. That's certainly the area I'm most intrigued by.

Baggedmilk:

I don't think we'll see much a difference, tbh. I think that Knoblauch's style will still come through, but I think we will see tweaks on the special teams — the PK needed to be better and the PP is losing Glen Gulutzan. Other than that, your guess is as good as mine.

[caption id="attachment_177704" align="aligncenter" width="1024"]<img class="size-large wp-image-177704" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/USATSI_26413746-1024x683.jpg" alt="Edmonton Oilers Stuart Skinner" width="1024" height="683" /> Jun 9, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Edmonton Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner (74) awaits the start of play against Florida Panthers during the second period in game three of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images[/caption]

2) Ben asks - How do you think Lukas Dostal's new contract affects Stuart Skinner's upcoming negotiations, given the <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/ask-dubey-changing-goalie-coaches-extension-stuart-skinner-edmonton-oilers">one year left on his contract</a>?

Jason Gregor:

Not much as one single contract. Skinner will be the 38th highest paid goalie this coming season. There are 22 goalies with a $5m+ AAV. There will be many other comparisons to use, and Skinner will likely join that rank especially if he has just a decent season. If he has a good year he could demand $6m.

Tyler Yaremchuk:

Dostal is the better goalie. To be putting up the numbers that he's been putting up on a pretty bad Ducks team is very impressive. He's also about 18 months younger than Skinner. The Ducks were buying some RFA years with this extension though and Skinner is eligible for unrestricted free agency next summer. That usually means a more expensive contract. Still, the playoff struggles dominate the conversation with Skinner and that will hurt his value, which is weird because Dostal got paid and we have no idea how he'd handle the pressure of the playoffs. Here's my answer: if Skinner takes a step forward this season and delivers in the playoffs, then I think we could see him getting a very similar contract. If he doesn't, he's probably signing somewhere else next summer.

Baggedmilk:

Skinner's camp is going to use all of the highly priced comparables they can find. I would do the same if I was going into a contract negotiation, and we shouldn't expect anything less from Skinner's agent. The tricky part, of course, will be whether that number matches up with what the Oilers think he should make and if he's still in the same role.

&nbsp;

[caption id="attachment_177701" align="aligncenter" width="1024"]<img class="size-large wp-image-177701" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/USATSI_26376679-1-1024x683.jpg" alt="Edmonton Oilers Stuart Skinner Calvin Pickard" width="1024" height="683" /> Jun 4, 2025; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner (74) reacts with goaltender Calvin Pickard (30) after defeating the Florida Panthers in overtime for game one of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Walter Tychnowicz-Imagn Images[/caption]

3) James asks - How confident are you in the Oilers running back <a href="https://oilersnation.com/combinations">the same goalie tandem</a>, or do you still think Stan Bowman will find <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/edmonton-oilers-next-goalie-waiver-wire">a new running mate</a> for Stuart Skinner?

Jason Gregor:

I think they will look at options later in the off-season and during training camp when teams start making cuts. There are some teams who will have to waive a goalie, and while the Oilers would be 24th on the waiver claim, Bowman could offer a draft pick for a few of the goalies who likely will be put on waivers.

Tyler Yaremchuk:

I think we'll see Skinner/Pickard to start the year and the team will look to upgrade at the deadline. There isn't a clear cut option that the team could realistically acquire but that could change by March.

Baggedmilk:

The longer the summer rolls along, the more I think we're running it back again. I did see Jeff Marek's idea about Michael DiPietro, and that would make sense to me, but I'm guessing Stan Bowman would need to make a trade more so that being able to claim him off waivers. Again, I'm thinking we're back to the same pairing whether I like it or not.

<img class="aligncenter wp-image-126625" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Screen-Shot-2023-01-13-at-2.28.49-PM-1024x517.png" alt="" width="783" height="395" />

4) Mason asks - The Oilers look to have a pretty tough start to <a href="https://oilersnation.com/schedule">their schedule</a> with 17 of 26 being road games. What do they need to do to avoid a third consecutive slow start?

Jason Gregor:

It will be hard. The last 11 Cup Final losers averaged 4-5-1 in their first 10. It is an emotional hurdle that is difficult to get over early in a season. If the Oilers are 11-8-1 or 10-8-2 I’d say that is pretty decent considering past history.

Tyler Yaremchuk:

Get consistent goaltending and get some support scoring. If the bottom six has some really good contributors and both goalies are above a .900, then they'll be just fine. Maybe they won't go 20-6-0, but we won't be panicking the same way that we have been in previous years.

Baggedmilk:

It's definitely going to be tough, but the good news is that means a whole pile of home games will be coming down the pipe later in the year. I think the Oilers have to figure out how to stick a few games above .500 the whole time to avoid falling too far behind the rest of the division/western conference standings.

<img class="aligncenter wp-image-78184" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Oilersnation-Open-Golf-Tournament-1-1024x768.jpeg" alt="" width="730" height="548" />

5) Landon asks - What should our group expect from our first-ever entry into <a href="https://nationgear.ca/products/2025-oilersnation-golf-tournament" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the Oilersnation Open</a> in August? What does the day look like?

Jason Gregor:

Fun filled day. Pace yourself. Hydrate. Bring cash for some of the on course fun. Expect to hear Yaremchuk talk about the 25 foot putt he just missed. 😊

Tyler Yaremchuk:

All gas from the moment you step on the course in the morning. The energy is so good and regardless of if you have a chance at winning or if you're just trying to kick back and have some fun, the day will deliver. It is seriously my favourite day of the year. Everyone is just in an awesome mood.

Baggedmilk:

It's one of the best days you can ever have. Everyone who joins us is always so nice and geared up for a fun day of golf, and without a doubt, the ONO is one of my favourite events on our annual calendar. You're going to have a blast.
<h2>PRESENTED BY STAR MECHANICAL</h2>
<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-146181" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Article-2-SME.png" alt="" width="728" height="404" />

Star Mechanical is one of Edmonton’s biggest locally owned and operated plumbing and heating businesses. They have been working within the community for over 20 years, and many of the homes built in Edmonton over the last two decades have had their plumbing and heating systems installed by Star Mechanical.  Visit them at <a href="http://starmechanical.ca/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://starmechanical.ca&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1707492487512000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2mVs3WUkp8iUCZ0kJRe9lJ">starmechanical.ca</a> to schedule an appointment and let them help keep your home running smoothly.

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