Stuart Skinner now in crisis mode, gets taken off team projected Canada roster

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Finnegan Frost
October 20, 2024 (6:40)

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Edmonton Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner has been taking heat for his poor start to the NHL regular season, but his situation has just taken a turn for the worse.

According to Liam McCormick of Oilers Daily, Daily Faceoff recently named the top goalie candidates to be in the crease for Canada during this year's four nations faceoff, and Stuart Skinner was left off the roster.

Skinner had previously been included, but had now been bumped down in favour of Samuel Montembeault who's looking primed to have a breakout year with the Canadiens. Analyst Matt Larkin believes the issue of Skinner's consistency might be the problem that leaves him off the roster.

Skinner has played just two full years as the Oilers starting goalie, and has posted mixed results. His first year was great with a .914 save percentage, but he took a significant drop down to .904 last year, which makes his early seasons struggles more concerning.
-Liam McCormick, Oilers Daily

It's gut check time for Stuart Skinner. If he want any chance of reclaiming his position on the projected team Canada roster, he needs to show the NHL and team Canada fans alike that he's capable of turning it around.

Stuart Skinner was instrumental during last years legendary 16 game winning streak, and his confidence was sky high during that period of time.

I'm not saying that Skinner needs to win 16 games in a row to get back into the team Canada conversation, but he needs to start getting wins, and fast.

As it stands, Montreal Canadiens goaltender Sam Montembeault has Skinner edged out by a clear mile. It won't be long before trade talks start to look over Stuart's head if he can't turn things around.

Do you think Stuart Skinner should make team Canada? Answer our Oilers insider poll to have your say!