Former Edmonton Oilers Goalie Mike Smith Defends Stuart Skinner From Harsh Criticism, Reminds Fans Young Netminder Still Developing Despite Pressure
Former Edmonton Oilers goaltender Mike Smith has stepped up in defense of current starter Stuart Skinner, urging fans and analysts alike to be patient with the young netminder as he continues to evolve into one of the most dependable goaltenders in the NHL. In a recent interview with Sportsnet, Smith—who retired from professional hockey in 2022 after a lengthy career highlighted by his competitive fire and locker room presence—said he believes Skinner has been unfairly burdened with blame for the Oilers’ shortcomings in recent seasons. Edmonton, despite boasting one of the most talented rosters in hockey, fell just short of the ultimate prize in 2025, bowing out in heartbreaking fashion to the Florida Panthers in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final. While many fans and pundits pointed to goaltending as the deciding factor, Smith was quick to remind everyone that Skinner is still only 26 years old and developing his craft.
“We forget that he’s a young goalie,” Smith said during the interview, reflecting on the immense responsibility Skinner has carried since seizing the starter’s role. “People sometimes expect a finished product right away, but the truth is, goaltenders take time to reach their peak. Stuart has already proven he can win games and handle the pressure of a Canadian market, and that’s not something every goalie can do.”
Skinner’s numbers from the 2024-25 campaign paint a picture of both potential and room for improvement. He finished the season with a 2.96 goals-against average and a .906 save percentage, statistics that critics pointed to as evidence that Edmonton needed more stability between the pipes. However, Skinner’s 36 wins, several standout performances in clutch situations, and ability to recover after difficult outings revealed the resilience that has impressed both teammates and former players like Smith.
Smith, who knows firsthand the challenges of playing goaltender in Edmonton, emphasized the unique pressures that come with the position. “Playing in a market like Edmonton, where the fanbase is passionate and expectations are sky-high, can be both a blessing and a curse,” he explained. “You’re constantly under the microscope. Every goal against gets magnified, every mistake is dissected. It takes a certain mental toughness to thrive here, and Stuart has shown he has that. He just needs time to keep building his game.”
Edmonton’s playoff run in 2025 added both hope and heartbreak to the ongoing story of Skinner’s career. The young goaltender backstopped the Oilers through multiple intense series, helping Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and the rest of the high-powered roster push all the way to the Stanley Cup Final. The journey, however, ended in bitter disappointment as the Oilers fell 3-2 in Game 7 to the Florida Panthers. Skinner faced criticism for a few goals allowed in that series, with some fans calling for Edmonton to consider an upgrade in net. But Smith, who himself experienced playoff heartbreak during his career, argued that pointing the finger solely at Skinner was misguided.
“Hockey is the ultimate team game,” Smith said. “You win as a group, and you lose as a group. Stuart didn’t lose that series by himself. Florida was relentless, they had depth, and sometimes in a Game 7, a bounce here or there decides the outcome. Putting all the blame on one guy is just not fair.”
The Oilers front office seems to agree with Smith’s assessment. General manager Ken Holland and the coaching staff have consistently voiced their confidence in Skinner’s ability to anchor the crease moving forward. With veteran Calvin Pickard providing a reliable presence as a backup, Edmonton feels they have the right goaltending tandem in place to compete once again for the Stanley Cup in 2025-26. Pickard’s steady hand allows Skinner the chance to rest when necessary, avoiding the fatigue that can plague young starters during long, grueling seasons.
Smith pointed out that some of the greatest goaltenders in NHL history endured growing pains before reaching their prime. “Go back and look at some of the legends—guys like Marc-André Fleury or Henrik Lundqvist—who weren’t instantly perfect when they started,” Smith said. “They went through ups and downs, they learned from mistakes, and they grew into elite players. Stuart is on that path. He has the tools, he has the mindset, and he has the support of his teammates. That’s all you can ask for at this stage.”
Indeed, Skinner has already proven himself capable of handling pressure. In multiple high-stakes playoff games, he bounced back after difficult outings, showcasing the mental toughness that coaches value so highly in netminders. His calm demeanor in the crease, coupled with his ability to make timely saves, has provided stability for a team that thrives on offensive firepower but has often been criticized for defensive lapses.
The Oilers, hungry to end their Stanley Cup drought that has stretched since 1990, are banking on Skinner to continue his development and provide the backbone necessary for another deep playoff run. With superstars McDavid and Draisaitl entering the prime years of their careers, the urgency to capitalize on this championship window is greater than ever. Yet Smith believes that patience with Skinner is critical to achieving that goal. “You don’t throw away a goalie like Stuart just because of a few tough games,” Smith said. “He’s already proven he can win 30-plus games in a season, and he’s done it under the brightest lights in hockey. That says a lot about his potential.”
As Edmonton prepares for the upcoming 2025-26 season, optimism remains high. The Oilers open their campaign against the rival Calgary Flames on October 12, a matchup that will immediately test their resolve and provide an early opportunity for Skinner to silence critics. The Battle of Alberta has always carried weight, and all eyes will be on the crease to see how the young netminder responds after an offseason of scrutiny and debate.
For Smith, the key message is simple: growth takes time, and patience is required. “Fans sometimes forget that goaltenders usually don’t hit their true stride until their late 20s or even early 30s,” he said. “Stuart has years ahead of him to refine his game. The fact that he’s already leading a team like Edmonton into the Stanley Cup Final at 26 says everything you need to know about his talent and his future.”
Smith’s words may provide a calming influence for an Edmonton fanbase that has grown restless after repeated near-misses. While criticism is inevitable in a hockey-mad city, the reminder from a respected former player offers perspective: Skinner is not a finished product, but he has already shown glimpses of becoming the long-term answer the Oilers have been searching for.
The narrative heading into 2025-26 will undoubtedly revolve around whether Edmonton can finally break through and capture hockey’s ultimate prize. And at the center of that story will be Stuart Skinner, a goalie still learning, still growing, but already proving himself worthy of the trust placed in him. If patience prevails, and if Smith’s faith is well-founded, the Oilers may soon find themselves celebrating not just deep playoff runs, but a long-awaited Stanley Cup championship with Skinner standing tall in the crease.
