Donning the black and gold, and calling a different country home, Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Stuart Skinner is ready to write a new chapter of his career with his new team.

Skinner, along with defenceman Brett Kulak and a second-round pick in the 2029 NHL Draft, was traded by the Edmonton Oilers to the Penguins last week in exchange for goaltender Tristan Jarry and forward Samuel Poulin.

To make the narrative more interesting, Skinner and Kulak were activated to Pittsburgh’s roster, with Pens head coach Dan Muse confirming that Skinner will make his first start on Tuesday night…against the Oilers.

“It’s funny,” Skinner told the media. “We’re ripping off the band-aid right away, which is good. … I think I’d rather it be like this and just kind of get it over with, but also to enjoy it, too. I get to play my old teammates, and me and [Kulak] get to do it together, and I think that’s nothing but exciting.”

The 27-year-old notes the similarities between the Oilers and Penguins at this point in the season. Pittsburgh, having missed the postseason in each of the past three years, is fighting for a Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference, while Edmonton is slowly turning things around after another rough start to the season.

“Even just being here, I know like this team…we want to win and we want to have fun doing it and really enjoy each other. I can sense that right off the bat. So, I don’t think it’s that much different as what I can tell right now. Both teams are very much wanting to lift that Cup at the end of the year. So, yeah, I’m really excited to be a part of this group.”

Skinner is viewing the fresh start as an opportunity to find success in a different market.

“As of right now, it’s a continuation just with a different group and a new jersey on, which is extremely exciting. … That’s the part that kind of gives you that reset. Even just being around, all smiles in here, and guys are having fun….It’s just been awesome.”

Skinner was asked about his thoughts on the trade and how things went down, especially since Oilers GM Stan Bowman stated that “it was time for something different.”

“There’s a lot of noise, obviously,” Skinner admitted. “Noise around goalies…I don’t know if it’s fair or not fair. I think it’s just kind of part of the business. It’s a trade that needed to be done, and I think it’s good for both teams. To be honest…I care more about where my work is and being able to be on a new team in this exciting moment. So, I’m not really thinking about if it’s fair or not. To me, it’s. It’s part of my life and I get to own that.”

When looking back on his time playing for his hometown team, Skinner stated that he left it all out on the ice.

“There’s not a moment that I didn’t try to do my best in Edmonton. I don’t have any regrets the way that I handled things. Perseverance, strength, kind of go down the list of what I tried to do for the organization…I’m very proud of what I was able to do down there. Could I have made an extra save or two? Absolutely. I’ll probably say that here. That’s kind of part of being a goalie and being a person. You keep on growing, keep on learning, but I always did my best and I will never stop doing my best.”

Skinner’s tenure with the Oilers was tumultuous, to say the least. While he showed flashes of brilliance in the playoffs, helping Edmonton make it to the Stanley Cup Final in each of the past two seasons, his inconsistent play throughout the years drove fans and the media crazy.

This season, Skinner has a record of 11-8-4, with a 2.83 goals-against average, a .891 save percentage, and one shutout. In 197 career regular-season games with the Oilers, the Edmonton native went 109-62-18, with a 2.74 GAA, a .904 SV% and nine shutouts. In the postseason, he went 26-22 with a 2.99 GAA, a .889 SV% and four shutouts.

Puck drop between the Oilers and Penguins is set for 5:30 p.m. MT.