What Stuart Skinner said about facing ex-Edmonton Oilers teammates
Stuart Skinner is looking forward to getting a shot at his former Edmonton Oilers teammates as he preps to make his debut with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The 26-year-old goaltender did not have to wait long to seek revenge against the Oilers after being traded to the Penguins late last week. Skinner was not able to immediately make his Pittsburgh debut after the trade due to immigration delays, but things got cleared up just in time for him to get back into the crease against Edmonton on Tuesday night.
For some, playing a former team so soon after getting traded may be a bit daunting, but the Edmonton native seemed excited about it when talking to reporters before the game.
“We’re ripping off the band-aid right away,” Skinner said with a laugh. “I think I’d rather it be like this and just get it over with, but also to enjoy it too. I get to play my old teammates, and me and Brett [Kulak] get to do it together. I think that’s nothing but exciting.”
Stuart Skinner first goalie off for Pens at skate.
“We’re very fortunate and very grateful to be in Pittsburgh.”
On facing EDM in first @penguins start: “We’re ripping off the bandaid right away. Kinda like it” pic.twitter.com/YIfxLMmU9J
— Josh Getzoff (@JG_PxP) December 16, 2025
It will be a very peculiar matchup between the pipes for both teams. Alongside Skinner playing against the Oilers for the first time, Tristan Jarry will be making his first return to Pittsburgh since the trade as well, this time in the Edmonton crease.
When asked how he felt about the Oilers moving on from him, Skinner replied with usual thoughtfulness and admitted it didn’t come as a complete surprise with all the rumours flying around.
“In Edmonton, I don’t know if you guys know, but there’s been rumours probably going on for the last five years,” Skinner said. “Not really that I caught it by surprise, but I just woke up one morning and woke up to a call by [Oilers GM] Stan [Bowman] just telling me there was a trade going on.
“I don’t know if it’s fair or not fair [to be traded], it’s just part of the business. It’s a trade that needed to be done, and I think it’s good for both teams… I’m not really thinking if it’s fair or not. To me, it’s part of my life, and I get to own that.”
Brett Kulak followed Skinner to Pittsburgh as part of the trade as well. The ex-Oilers goaltender said that going through the process alongside a friend helped ease the transition for him.
“I’m extremely lucky to be doing all that with a friend,” Skinner said of Kulak. “Him and I have grown close over the past three years playing with each other, so when it happened together, we were kinda smiling at each other.
“What are the odds that we get to go together? It’s very, very special… to do it with a friend, I think, has helped me a ton.”
It will be an interesting matchup for both teams. Skinner will be hoping to get off to a good start with his new team, while the Oilers are hoping to give Jarry a victorious return to Pittsburgh.