Edmonton Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner expressed his disappointment at not being chosen for the 4 Nations Team Canada roster, but he was honest about the decision to cut him. While some fans are defending him, especially after he outperformed Jordan Binnington on Saturday in the Oilers’ victory over the St. Louis Blues, Skinner conceded that Binnington deserved the spot. “He beat me out for a reason,” Skinner commented. “He’s a hell of a goalie.”
The unfortunate reality is that all three goaltenders—Binnington (St. Louis Blues), Adin Hill (Vegas Golden Knights), and Sam Montembeault (Montreal Canadiens)—had just as strong, if not stronger, cases for selection than Skinner. Perceptions may change in the coming weeks, but unless there’s an injury, it may be too late for Skinner to alter the decision.
After a shaky start to the season, Skinner understood Team Canada’s decision to not include him on the roster. Despite being under consideration following his strong performance in last year’s Stanley Cup Final, his inconsistent play and the slow start by the Oilers this season made it clear to him why the decision was made. He recognized that sometimes recency bias plays a role, and until recently, he hadn’t provided Team Canada with many reasons to feel confident about selecting him.
However, Skinner’s game is beginning to改善, similar to how it improved last season. Rather than dwelling on the missed opportunity, he is concentrating on the Oilers and looking for positives in the situation. Additionally, there’s always the possibility that an opportunity could arise if a goaltender gets injured before the tournament.
Skinner Is Coming on Strong for the Oilers
While Skinner would eagerly accept a chance to play if called upon, he referred to the situation as a “blessing in disguise,” highlighting that he will now have the opportunity to be present for the birth of his newborn in early 2025—a moment he missed with his first child due to hockey commitments. This missed opportunity also allows Skinner to devote more time to improving his game and becoming the best player he can be for the Oilers.
While he admitted his season hasn’t been up to par, he’s determined to use the snub as motivation to elevate his game. And, while fans might complain with every excellent performance that Skinner should have been selected, the Oilers won’t mind.
With a cap-friendly salary of $2.4 million, Skinner has rarely been given the credit he deserves. If he can improve his save percentage over the next few games, it may become clear that Team Canada made a mistake. That mistake will be to the benefit of the Oilers
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