Stuart Skinner's biggest weakness has just been exposed

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Finnegan Frost
October 18, 2024 (1:02 PM)

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Stuart Skinner has been off to an extremely poor start to the 2024-2025 NHL campaign, but there might be an element of his game contributing to that.

According to Liam McCormick of Oilers Daily, Steve Valiquette, a former NHL goalie who know works as hockey analytics analyst, joined Sportsnet Radio to share his concerns on Stuart Skinner. According to Valiquette's data, Skinner ranks as the worst goalie in the NHL for lateral movement.

»The area that Stuart Skinner really struggles with is the east west game, whether it's at 5 on 5 in zone or off the rush. His movement side to side, is . . . You're talking about the top 64 guys in the league, he's the worst of those 64. . . I wonder if he doesn't get to east and west well enough to play all the way through and get them all the way through.»
- Steve Valiquette

McCormick adds that Valiquette went on to explain that his data says NHL teams need to be elite on special teams and off the rush to win the Stanley Cup, and that includes goals against. Because Skinner struggles with east to west movement, he allows more goals than average on passing plays on the powerplay or rush chances. Valiquette believes Skinner's struggles may become so impactful that the Oilers would be better off starting Calvin Pickard.

It's no secret that Stuart Skinner managed to bring the Oilers to game 7 of the Stanley Cup finals, but he hasn't been the same goaltender since.

Even in the early stages of the preseason, Skinner looked shaky. Now, the conversation concerning the Oilers trading for a new goaltender has intensified.

For a goaltender who held so much promise heading into this season, Skinner is clearly lacking confidence. Fans will be watching him closely to see if he can shake off whatever leading to these poor performances.