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Money Well Spent

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Photo credit:Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports
Robin Brownlee
1 year ago
Mark me down as being in the camp of those people calling the three-year, $7.8 million contract local lad Stuart Skinner signed with the Edmonton Oilers this morning a bargain. As an aside, it’s certainly a feel-good story.
While the money is ass-backwards in terms of the Oilers overall goaltending situation — Jack Campbell has already been relegated to back-up status in the first year of a five-year contract worth $25 million – the tandem will work itself out with GM Ken Holland on the hook for a reasonable combined $7.6 million per season.
Skinner, 24, has cooled off somewhat after a torrid start that saw him take the crease from Campbell, but he’s still boasting some good numbers at 9-8-1 with a 2.83 GAA and a save percentage of .915. Through 33 appearances over three seasons, Skinner has very similar numbers at 16-14-1 with a 2.82 GAA and .912.
Money and the stats aside, there’s always room for a great story and Skinner and his family qualify as that. Drafted 78th overall from Lethbridge by the Oilers in 2017, Stuart is the youngest sibling in Sam and Sue Skinner’s family of nine children. The brothers are Stephen, Scott, Sheldon and Stuart and the sisters are Sarah, Sandra, Sharon, Shannon and Samantha.
The local boy makes good angle is always a terrific hook and it certainly applies here with Skinner, who has a lot of years left to add to the story. He’ll still be right in his prime years when the new contract is over. You can read more about the Skinner family here in a story Jim Matheson wrote in 2017. It’s worth a read.
“When someone wants to sign you to an extended contract it’s very exciting for you,” Skinner said. “It’s one of those things that you’ve been waiting for, for your whole life, so it’s something I was very, very excited about. I get to live where I grew up. I get to play for the Edmonton Oilers, which is the team I always wanted to play for, a team I grew up watching and idolizing. It’s very, very special. I’m extremely grateful.”

SKINNER’S CAREER SO FAR

SeasonGPGSWLTOTSAGAGAASV%SOMIN
2022-202319189801620532.83.91501,123
NHL Career3331161411,025902.82.91211,917

WHILE I’M AT IT

  • The Oilers trip for fathers and sons is back for stops in Nashville tonight and Dallas Wednesday after a two-year absence. It’s always a lot of fun. Brian McDavid and Richard Nurse are just two of several fathers who are along for the trip, a getaway that includes several activities for the dads and a father-son dinner.
  • The date for the ninth edition of Edmonton’s Hockey Helps the Homeless tournament featuring the Oilers alumni was announced today and it will be played on May 5 at the Terwillegar Rec Centre. Proceeds this year are going to The Mustard Seed, Jasper Place Wellness Centre and Kids Kottage. Stay tuned.

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