Fans torch Stuart Skinner after latest interview goes viral

Edmonton Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner met with reporters after his first skate ahead of training camp and revealed how he wants to go to the Olympics in February 2026.

“I want to set the bar high. I want to go to the Olympics, I wanna be a goalie for Team Canada,” said Skinner. “I wanna be able to get back to the Stanley Cup and finish the job this year. I think that’s everyone’s goal in the NHL, if you ask them, is to win the Stanley Cup… but we’re definitely wanting to finish the job here.”

While that’s an impressive, and definitely motivating goal, fans aren’t as confident as Skinner feels when it comes to his goaltending abilities and his talent to make Team Canada for the Winter Games.

Fans were brutal in the comments on X tagged to Skinner’s interview with Sportsnet, saying:

“Who’s gunna tell him?”

Another fan commenting: “He’s one trade away from playing in the A”

And another with a brutal insult: “Buddy should focus on stopping a puck first.”

Skinner has had a tough go in recent seasons in Edmonton, despite the Oilers making it to the Stanley Cup Final for two straight summers. The Oilers have have sub-par goaltending for years now and Skinner hasn’t exactly changed that narrative. Last season he managed just a .896 save percentage, good for 40th league-wide. That’s not going to cut it…

I’m concerned that Skinner is only setting himself up for failure. His focus should simply be on having a good start of the season so that he can silence the doubters nice and early.

But I’ve only put three bad comments above. There are a whole lot more on social media following his comments about his lofty goal ahead of 2025-26.