Stuart Skinner’s Next Contract: The High-Stakes Gamble That Could Define the Edmonton Oilers’ Future

0 Sara Smith September 14, 2025

The clock is ticking on Stuart Skinner’s time as the biggest bargain in the Edmonton Oilers’ crease. While the Oilers faithful are still basking in the glow of back-to-back Stanley Cup Final appearances, the front office is staring down a contract negotiation that could define the team’s future.

The recent signing of Dustin Wolf in Calgary to a seven-year, $52.5 million deal has sent ripples through the goaltending market, and you can bet that Skinner’s agent has taken notice.

Skinner’s Future in Edmonton: A Calculated Gamble

At 26, Skinner is in the prime of his career. He’s battle-tested, with 50 playoff games under his belt over the last three seasons – a stark contrast to Wolf’s relatively light NHL workload. Yet, he’s playing on a contract with a cap hit that’s a fraction of what the market now dictates for a starting goaltender. The Oilers have been the beneficiaries of this incredible value, but the bill is about to come due.

The real question isn’t if Skinner will get a raise, but how much of a raise he’ll command. A strong 2025-26 season could easily put him in the same AAV bracket as Wolf, if not higher. But the elephant in the room is the impending negotiation with Connor McDavid. The Oilers will, and should, move heaven and earth to keep the best player in the world in an Oilers sweater. But that financial commitment will have a ripple effect on the rest of the roster, and Skinner could be the one who feels the squeeze.

It’s a high-stakes game of chicken. Do the Oilers risk letting Skinner test the open market next summer? Or do they lock him up now, potentially overpaying to avoid a bidding war? The answer will likely lie in the delicate balance of managing the salary cap and keeping the championship window wide open. The Oilers have a good problem on their hands: too many good players who deserve to be paid. But good problems can quickly become bad ones if they aren’t handled with a deft touch. One thing is for sure: the Stuart Skinner contract situation will be one of the most fascinating storylines to watch in the coming months.