Breaking: Adin Hill of the Vegas Golden Knights calls Stuart Skinner of the Edmonton Oilers the “Worst Goalie in the NHL,” which infuriates and offends Skinner.
In a sport built on speed, toughness, and discipline, NHL players rarely engage in public feuds, especially when it comes to critiquing fellow goaltenders—a brotherhood known for mutual respect. But that unwritten code was shattered when Vegas Golden Knights goalie Adin Hill took a scorched-earth approach in his assessment of Edmonton Oilers netminder Stuart Skinner, calling him “the worst goalie in the NHL.”
The comment, reportedly made during a post-practice media scrum following Game 3 of the Western Conference Semifinals, has sent shockwaves through the league and ignited a war of words, drawing reactions from fans, analysts, teammates, and Skinner himself. With the Oilers and Golden Knights locked in a heated playoff battle, Hill’s brutal candor could not have come at a more explosive time.
Hill, who had just posted a 37-save performance in a tight overtime win against Edmonton, was asked by a reporter how he felt going up against a young goaltender like Skinner, who has faced scrutiny for inconsistency during the postseason.
With cameras rolling and reporters stunned, Hill didn’t hold back.
“Let’s be honest,” Hill said. “He’s the worst goalie in the NHL right now. I’m not trying to be disrespectful, I’m just calling it how I see it. We knew coming into the series we’d have the edge in net, and that’s showing. You shoot glove side, low pad—he’s toast every time.”
Gasps were audible from the media contingent, with several unsure if Hill was joking. He wasn’t.
“If I’m wrong, prove me wrong,” Hill added. “But the numbers and the tape don’t lie.”
That soundbite, fiery and unfiltered, was replayed across every major sports network and quickly went viral on social media. The hockey world hadn’t seen such a direct attack between goaltenders since Patrick Roy’s legendary beef with Chris Osgood in the early 2000s.
The reaction from Stuart Skinner was swift and full of emotion. Following practice on Saturday, Skinner addressed Hill’s remarks with a combination of hurt and disbelief.
“Honestly, I’m shocked,” Skinner said. “I’ve always had a lot of respect for Hill, especially what he did in the playoffs last year. But to come out and say something like that, it’s not just wrong—it’s completely out of line.”
Skinner, who has faced criticism for his sub-.880 save percentage during this playoff run, has acknowledged his struggles but emphasized that he’s working with coaches and teammates to improve his form.
“I’ve had ups and downs, sure. Every goalie does,” Skinner added. “But I’ve never disrespected another player in the league like that, especially not a peer. It’s disappointing. But if he wants to motivate me, congratulations. Message received.”
His tone shifted from disappointment to resolve as he concluded his remarks:
“We’ll see how this series ends.”
Goalies in the NHL often share a unique fraternity. Whether they’re starters, backups, or third-stringers, most understand the pressures and mental toll that comes with the position. Public criticism is rare—criticism this pointed is unheard of.
Longtime NHL goaltender and analyst Kevin Weekes was among the first to weigh in.
“This is a line you don’t cross,” Weekes said on ESPN. “Even if you think it privately, you don’t torch a fellow goalie on camera. You just don’t. Especially not in the middle of a playoff series.”
Hall of Famer Martin Brodeur echoed the sentiment, calling Hill’s comments “unprofessional and toxic.”
“I can’t imagine saying something like that about a fellow goalie,” Brodeur said. “Even if I thought it, that’s something you keep in the locker room. You let your play do the talking.”
But not everyone condemned Hill’s brashness. Some analysts and fans praised his honesty, suggesting that hockey needs more raw personality and less rehearsed soundbites.
“Finally, someone speaks their mind,” former enforcer and current broadcaster Paul Bissonnette said on Spittin’ Chiclets. “Hill’s just saying what a lot of people are thinking. And if Skinner wants to prove him wrong, stop the puck.”
In Edmonton, Hill’s comments didn’t just offend Skinner—they galvanized the locker room. Star forward Leon Draisaitl called the remarks “a cheap shot” and “pathetic.”
“That’s not gamesmanship. That’s just being a [expletive],” Draisaitl said. “You don’t try to tear another man down to make yourself look better. I hope Stu shuts them up.”
Connor McDavid was more measured but clearly unimpressed.
“We’ve got Stuart’s back,” McDavid said. “He’s battled all season, and he’s one of the reasons we’re in this position. One game at a time—we’re going to respond.”
On the other side, several Golden Knights players stood by Hill, albeit with less aggression.
“Adin’s a competitor,” said defenseman Alex Pietrangelo. “He believes in his game, and he’s not wrong that we’ve been getting chances. That said, we’re focused on hockey, not headlines.”
To determine whether Hill’s claim has merit, one has to examine the numbers.
The raw stats show Hill has clearly outperformed Skinner this postseason. But context matters. Skinner has faced more high-danger chances per 60 minutes, and the Oilers’ penalty kill has been subpar, putting additional pressure on the netminder.
Meanwhile, Hill plays behind a defense-first team that excels at clearing rebounds and limiting second chances—factors that can heavily skew goalie numbers.
So while Skinner’s stats are struggling, it may be an exaggeration to declare him the “worst goalie in the NHL.” In fact, several goaltenders have posted worse playoff stats historically or even in this same postseason.
While the NHL hasn’t issued a formal statement regarding Hill’s remarks, sources close to the situation say the league has “taken note” of the media storm and will be monitoring player conduct closely.
Privately, the NHL prefers its players avoid incendiary comments that overshadow the game. League officials are concerned this feud may distract from the on-ice product or incite further tension between teams in an already volatile series.
A minor scuffle broke out during warmups in Game 4 after Oilers backup Calvin Pickard chirped Hill at center ice. Though nothing came of it, officials quickly intervened and warned both benches.
Fans have taken to social media to express a wide range of opinions. On X (formerly Twitter), hashtags like #HillVsSkinner, #GoalieWar, and #RespectThePads have trended across Canada and the U.S.
Many Edmonton fans called for Hill to apologize, while Golden Knights supporters rallied behind their netminder for speaking his truth.
“Hill just woke up a sleeping giant,” one Oilers fan posted. “Now Skinner’s going to steal the series. Book it.”
“Hill said what we’re all seeing,” another user from Las Vegas wrote. “Skinner’s getting lit up and someone had to say it.”
Memes flooded Reddit and Instagram, with many joking that Hill might want to sleep with one eye open next time the Knights play in Alberta.
With Game 4 looming and the Oilers trailing 2-1 in the series, all eyes will be on Stuart Skinner. His response on the ice may define not only the series but also his career trajectory. If he rises to the occasion, it could be a defining moment—a revenge arc unlike any other.
For Hill, the challenge is maintaining his composure. If he falters now, his words will come back to haunt him tenfold.
“This is a moment,” said TSN analyst Craig Button. “Either Skinner shows us what he’s made of, or Hill cements himself as the psychological master of the crease. There’s no middle ground now.”
The drama has created an unexpected subplot in what was already a compelling playoff series. Forget the high-powered offenses, the defensive breakdowns, and coaching adjustments—the biggest story in this series is now personal.
And that may be exactly what hockey needs: raw, unpredictable tension that reminds us these are not robots but passionate competitors.
Whatever happens next, Adin Hill and Stuart Skinner have taken center stage in the most intense goalie rivalry the NHL has seen in years.
