The Edmonton Oilers have made a decisive and bold move to address their goaltending situation, sparking immediate debate across the hockey world. On Friday, December 12, 2025, General Manager Stan Bowman executed a significant trade, sending goaltender Stuart Skinner, defenceman Brett Kulak, and a 2029 second-round draft pick to the Pittsburgh Penguins. In return, the Oilers acquired netminder Tristan Jarry and forward Samuel Poulin.
Immediate Showdown Highlights High-Stakes Swap
The first chapter of this trade narrative will be written on the ice itself, as the two goaltenders are set to face their former teams in a highly anticipated matchup. This immediate showdown offers the first tangible evidence in evaluating the blockbuster deal, placing immense focus on the crease at both ends of the rink.
However, the ultimate verdict on this trade will require a much longer view. For now, the consensus among league observers is that Bowman acted with conviction to force a change. The move is widely seen as a risky but necessary gamble for a team with championship aspirations.
Insider Analysis: A Necessary Gamble
Prominent NHL analyst and former executive Brian Lawton provided a nuanced take on the trade during an appearance on the 100% Hockey podcast with John Shannon and Daren Millard. Lawton suggested that clear analytical evidence favoring one goalie over the other is scarce, but emphasized that Edmonton had reached a point where action was imperative.
"I don't see the concrete evidence one way or another that this is a grand slam for either team," Lawton stated. "Both goalies have shown that they can be elite goaltenders. Both goalies have shown that they can really struggle. That's a gut feel, in my opinion."
He specifically praised the Oilers' front office for its decisiveness. "That's a gutsy call by the Edmonton Oilers, I'll be honest with you," Lawton said. "They didn't solve the (goalie) problem in the summer. They gave it as much time as they possibly could with Stuart... To me, the Edmonton Oilers needed to make a goalie change. No matter what."
The Volatile Nature of NHL Goaltending
The discussion highlighted the inherent unpredictability of evaluating NHL goaltenders. Lawton pointed out the dramatic swings in performance that can redefine a goalie's value from one season to the next. "The goalies are still a challenge for the league because they're up and down. One man's treasure one year is someone else's trash, the next," he explained, clarifying he did not mean the term literally but was illustrating the high variance in play.
Co-host Daren Millard underscored this point with a stark reminder of Jarry's recent journey: "Well, Tristan Jarry was in the American Hockey League last year. He was on waivers." Lawton agreed, noting that very few netminders in the league provide a stable, bankable performance year over year, making any trade a calculated risk.
Lawton also connected the move to the Oilers' broader strategy, referencing the hiring of analytics expert Michael Parkatti. He suggested that while data on team defence and the defensive corps would have informed the decision, Bowman's extensive experience—including three Stanley Cup victories—likely led to a final gut-level decision to alter the team's course.
The trade reshapes the roster for both clubs and sets the stage for a compelling storyline to follow throughout the season, with the performance of Jarry and Skinner serving as the central metric for its success.
