Devan Dubnyk found himself at a crossroads when he was dealt from the Edmonton Oilers to the Nashville Predators.

27 years old at the time, he was faced with playing for a new organization after spending a decade in Edmonton’s system. And while things didn’t quite work out in the Music City, it didn’t take him long to settle into Minnesota, enjoying the best years of his career — years in which he posted much better numbers than he did in Alberta’s capital.

Hindsight was 20/20, but as the Oilers toiled away trying to find a replacement, it was clear they could’ve used somebody like Dubnyk between their pipes.

That same mistake is one Oilers radio voice Bob Stauffer wants to see the team avoid making with 27-year-old Stuart Skinner.

“I don’t want to see Edmonton make the same mistake that they made with Dubnyk,” Stauffer said during an appearance on the Spittin’ Chiclets podcast. “I think you got to give Skinner a chance. He’s 26. He was never supposed to be the starting goal for a playoff run two years ago. Jack Campbell was supposed to be the order’s number one goalie at the start of the year.”

“He’s got to continue to work on his glove. He’s got to continue to work on his puck handling… He’s lighter, he’s quicker, he has a new goalie coach, he has a new voice. Let’s see what happens here.”

While Skinner started his NHL career sooner than Dubnyk did, the pair have played a similar number of games in Oilers threads, posting similar numbers, too, leading up to the time Dubnyk was traded.

Heading into Saturday’s game against the Devils, Skinner’s posted a 99-55-15 record through 177 games, a .906 save percentage and a 2.72 goals against average. Dubnyk posted a 61-76-21 record through 171 games in Edmonton, with a .910 save percentage and a 2.88 goals against average.

But with Skinner and his backup, Calvin Pickard, being pending unrestricted free agents at the end of the season, there’s no denying the team will need to make some decisions about the future of their crease.

“I think there’s some runway for him during this year, but beyond this… I think all bets are off if there’s a lack of success there,” said Stauffer. “But I also think he can secure himself full-time employment long-term with an extension if he has a hell of a year and the Oilers win the final game of the playoffs.”

Zach Laing is Oilersnation’s associate editor, senior columnist, and The Nation Network’s news director. He also makes up one-half of the Daily Faceoff DFS Hockey Report. He can be followed on X at @zjlaing, or reached by email at zach.laing@bettercollective.com.