Kevin Weekes with a bombshell report on goalie Stuart Skinner

This just in, NHL insider Kevin Weekes has released a trade report this evening highlighting Stuart Skinner of the Edmonton Oilers, Sebastian Cossa of the Detroit Red Wings and Brett Berard of the New York Rangers.

With respect to Skinner, Weekes reports that the Ottawa Senators are interested in the pending free agent goaltender. It's not clear exactly how Skinner would fit into the Senators' plans for next season given that they already have an issue with Linus Ullmark.

Skinner's NHL career has been one of perseverance, hometown pride, and postseason highs and lows. Drafted by the Edmonton Oilers in the third round of the 2017 NHL Draft, the Edmonton native worked his way through the American Hockey League before eventually becoming the Oilers' starting goaltender. After several seasons developing in the organization, Skinner emerged as a legitimate NHL starter and helped backstop Edmonton to consecutive Stanley Cup Final appearances in 2024 and 2025. During his tenure with the Oilers, he compiled a regular-season record of 109-62-18 while establishing himself as one of the league's most recognizable Canadian-born netminders.

Despite those accomplishments, Skinner's time in Edmonton came to an abrupt end during the 2025-26 season. On December 12, 2025, the Oilers traded Skinner, defenseman Brett Kulak, and a 2029 second-round pick to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for goaltender Tristan Jarry and forward Samuel Poulin. The move was viewed by many as a major shakeup for both organizations, with Edmonton looking for a fresh start in goal after several seasons of playoff heartbreak. Oilers general manager Stan Bowman described the trade as more about a need for change than a reflection of Skinner's abilities.

Following the trade, Skinner settled into a tandem role in Pittsburgh and posted respectable numbers for a rebuilding Penguins club. He finished his Penguins tenure with a 12-9-5 record in 27 appearances while providing veteran stability to a roster in transition. Advanced metrics suggested his play was stronger than his traditional statistics indicated, and he helped keep Pittsburgh in the playoff race for much of the second half.

Now, Skinner enters what could be the most important offseason of his professional career. His three-year contract carrying a $2.6 million cap hit has expired, making him an unrestricted free agent on July 1. Most reports indicate Pittsburgh is unlikely to bring him back due to the emergence of younger goaltenders Arturs Silovs, Joel Blomqvist, and Sergei Murashov within the organization.

The free-agent market could be surprisingly favorable for Skinner. At just 27 years old, he owns nearly 200 NHL starts, extensive playoff experience, and two Stanley Cup Final appearances on his résumé. Teams seeking stability in net, such as Ottawa and other clubs looking for a veteran tandem option, have already been linked to him in speculation surrounding the upcoming market.

Whether Skinner lands a starting role or a 1A/1B tandem situation, he remains one of the most intriguing goaltenders available this summer. A strong fit with the right organization could allow him to rebuild his value and remind the hockey world why he was trusted to carry the crease for a Stanley Cup contender for several seasons in Edmonton. At an age when many goaltenders are just entering their prime, the next contract may ultimately define the second chapter of Stuart Skinner's NHL career.