**“GRAPES GOES OFF”: Don Cherry RIPS Oilers’ Stuart Skinner for Stanley Cup Letdown—Calls Out Goalie’s Failure to Rise in Biggest Moment**
Don Cherry has never been one to mince words, and in the wake of the Edmonton Oilers’ crushing defeat in the Stanley Cup Final, the legendary broadcaster and former NHL coach has once again ignited headlines. On his latest podcast episode, Cherry zeroed in on one player in particular—goaltender Stuart Skinner. While fans across Canada tried to process how a thrilling Cup run ended in heartbreak, Cherry aimed his trademark candor at what he believed was the weakest link in the Oilers’ chain: their netminder. And he didn’t hold back. According to Cherry, Skinner simply failed to rise to the occasion when the lights were brightest and the stakes were highest.
Cherry’s comments have sent ripples across the hockey world. He pointed out that while players like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl delivered jaw-dropping performances through the playoffs, Skinner never quite met the moment. The veteran broadcaster acknowledged Skinner’s moments of brilliance but emphasized that in a Final where margins were razor-thin, inconsistency in net was a killer. “You can’t win the Cup with a goalie who lets in soft goals,” Cherry said. “I don’t care how many big saves he makes here and there. When you’re in the Final, you have to be better than average—you have to be great. And Skinner wasn’t.”
Throughout the postseason, Edmonton’s explosive offense was the story. McDavid was a machine, rewriting the record books and carrying the team on his back through multiple series. Draisaitl, Zach Hyman, and Evan Bouchard all had their moments, and the Oilers’ blueline showed surprising resilience. But as the playoffs wore on, questions around Skinner’s reliability grew louder. In several games, he surrendered early goals that deflated momentum and left the Oilers playing from behind. While his teammates chased the game, Skinner’s performance hovered around average, and Cherry argues that average just doesn’t cut it in June.
What seemed to bother Cherry the most was Skinner’s body language and demeanor in the crease. “He looked rattled. He looked nervous,” Cherry said. “In the Final, you’ve got to stand tall. Look at the great goalies in history—Patrick Roy, Martin Brodeur, even Jonathan Quick in his prime. These guys had fire in their eyes. They didn’t blink. Skinner blinked, and the Oilers paid the price.” Cherry went on to describe how elite goaltending isn’t just about technical ability—it’s about commanding the game, instilling confidence in your teammates, and owning the moment. According to him, Skinner did none of that consistently enough.
To be fair, Skinner’s journey to the Stanley Cup Final was not without merit. He rebounded strongly in the Western Conference Final after being benched earlier in the playoffs, showing poise and mental fortitude that impressed fans and analysts alike. But in the Final, those qualities faded under pressure. Cherry made a point to acknowledge Skinner’s progress and praised his earlier comeback, but ultimately circled back to the core issue: “There’s no participation trophy in the Final,” he said. “You either win, or you go home. And the goalie’s job is to be the backbone. When that backbone cracks, the whole team collapses.”
Cherry’s comments have drawn mixed reactions. Some Oilers fans agree, saying Skinner wasn’t ready for the moment and that goaltending has been the team’s Achilles’ heel for years. Others defended the young netminder, arguing that he was hung out to dry at times by defensive lapses and that his performance was adequate given the pressure and quality of the opposition. But Cherry has always played the role of old-school truth-teller, and his view remains that champions don’t settle for “adequate.” In his eyes, Edmonton had the offensive tools and enough defensive backbone to win it all—but they didn’t have the goalie.
What adds weight to Cherry’s critique is his own history with the position. While not a goalie himself, Cherry has spent decades analyzing the NHL’s greatest netminders and has repeatedly emphasized the importance of goaltending in championship runs. His Coach’s Corner rants during his time on “Hockey Night in Canada” were filled with admiration for clutch saves and criticism for untimely lapses. He’s seen firsthand how a single misstep in net can derail a team’s destiny, and he’s unapologetic about holding Skinner to that standard.
Cherry also raised a broader concern about the Oilers’ long-term future. “You’ve got McDavid. You’ve got Draisaitl. You’ve got the kind of offensive core that comes around once in a generation,” he said. “If you waste it because you don’t have a goalie who can win when it matters most, that’s a tragedy.” The implication was clear: the Oilers’ championship window is now, and any hesitation to address goaltending concerns could end up costing them more than just this one opportunity.
For all his bluster and controversy over the years, Cherry’s critiques often stem from a deep love of the game and an unshakable standard for what winning hockey should look like. His words cut deep because they’re rooted in experience and passion. He’s watched generations of players chase Lord Stanley, and he knows what separates champions from almosts. For Stuart Skinner, the message was unmistakable: talent and effort get you to the doorstep, but greatness slams it shut in the opponent’s face. In Cherry’s view, Skinner left that door swinging wide open.
In some ways, this moment could be a defining one for Skinner. Being publicly criticized by one of the sport’s most iconic voices isn’t easy, but it can serve as fuel. Cherry has roasted players in the past who went on to prove him wrong and become stars. If Skinner takes the comments as motivation, refines his mental toughness, and returns stronger next season, it could be the beginning of a powerful redemption arc. But if he shrinks from the criticism, Cherry’s words may linger as a symbol of missed opportunity.
It’s worth noting that the Oilers organization has stood by Skinner throughout his ups and downs. Head coach Kris Knoblauch has praised his resilience, and teammates have defended him in the media. But in the crucible of playoff hockey, support and loyalty only go so far. When results don’t follow, tough decisions must be made. The Oilers’ front office may be forced to evaluate whether Skinner is truly the long-term answer in net—or if they need to bring in a proven playoff performer to get them over the hump.
Cherry’s rant also underscores how the goalie position is one of the loneliest and most scrutinized roles in sports. A forward can miss chances. A defenseman can blow coverage. But when a goalie falters, it’s usually on full display and often game-changing. Skinner was thrust into the spotlight, and though he had moments of strength, the spotlight revealed cracks. That doesn’t mean he can’t evolve into a Cup-caliber goalie, but according to Cherry, he’s not there yet.
Whether fans agree with Cherry or not, his words have reignited a larger conversation about the Oilers’ future and what it will take to finally bring the Cup back to Edmonton. McDavid is in his prime. Draisaitl’s future with the team is uncertain. The time to win is now. And if goaltending is the final hurdle, the Oilers will have to decide quickly whether to double down on Skinner or search elsewhere. The Cup run may be over, but the pressure is just beginning.
In the end, Cherry’s critique was more than just a roast—it was a wake-up call. For Skinner, for the Oilers, and for fans dreaming of glory, it was a reminder that greatness in hockey is about timing, preparation, and delivering under the biggest spotlight. And when that light gets hot, as it does in the Stanley Cup Final, there’s no room for shade. You either stand tall or get burned. In Don Cherry’s mind, Skinner got burned. Now it’s up to the young goalie to rise from the ashes or be remembered as the one who blinked when the Cup was within reach.
