Oilers coach Knoblauch gives Team Canada endorsement to Skinner
Edmonton Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner has been on a roll of late, but is it too little too late for his chances to make Team Canada’s 4 Nations roster?
According to a new report from The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun on Sunday morning, Canada has officially decided which players will represent the Great White North during the February tournament.
Goaltending is by far the most contentious position on this year’s team and while Skinner has not had a great start, he’s put up a save percentage of at least .930 in three of his last four starts.
It’s a positive change of pace for Skinner and one that Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch thinks should get him on Canada’s roster.
“If I’m picking, he’s on that team,” Knoblauch confidently told reporters following Saturday’s 4-1 win over the Colorado Avalanche. “Obviously, [Canada’s management group] are not calling for my input.”
"Playing a back-to-back you need your entire bench. I thought everyone stepped up… It was nice to see everyone pretty much contribute."
Coach Knoblauch on the #Oilers collective effort vs. Colorado. @Enterprise | #LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/IGEzRMJ9iH
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) December 1, 2024
Just a few weeks ago, it seemed unlikely that Skinner would make Canada’s roster. He still ranks near the bottom of the league in goals-saved-above-expected (GSAx) at -8.2, and his save percentage is not encouraging at .887.
However, considering the latest hot streak and the fact that he helped the Oilers come within a single win of the Stanley Cup last season, perhaps Canada takes a flyer on Skinner as one of the team’s three goaltenders.
A report last month indicated that Canada has already pencilled in St. Louis Blue goalie Jordan Binnington and Vegas Golden Knights starter Adin Hill as the two primary netminders. With Elliotte Friedman reporting that Seattle Kraken goalie Joey Daccord is not eligible to play for Canada, that third-string spot is still a possibility for Spossiblell, who will likely be in a battle with the likes of Logan Thompson, Marc-Andre Fleury, Cam Talbot, and several others for that spot.
Oilers fans won’t have to wait long as Canada’s roster is set to be revealed Wednesday.