Stuart Skinner’s extension debate is the marquee NHL storyline in Edmonton as the Oilers weigh a long-term marry-the-arc plan. Zach Laing’s five-year projection at a 6.817 million cap hit carries a mature edge: a high-ceiling bet on Skinner through his prime, tempered by a 22% chance the model assigns to hitting that exact outcome.

Skinner’s postseason numbers dipped to a 2.99 GAA and .889 SV% across 15 games in 2024-25, a contrast to the spring when he lifted Edmonton in back-to-back Cup Final runs. Florida’s Sergei Bobrovsky outdueled the Oilers’ tandem in the Final, while GM Stan Bowman defended his goaltenders and Kris Knoblauch rode Skinner in must-win Game 6. For fantasy, a long-term Skinner in Edmonton could stabilize a once-volatile position, but the playoff skid injects risk into any price tag. The piece also frames rival stoppers—Kuemper, Hill, and Oettinger—as benchmarks to contextualize Skinner’s ceiling and downside as the Oilers navigate this contract crossroads.

The Stanley Cup playoffs are entering the conference finals, showcasing elite talent. Leon Draisaitl, a frontrunner for the Conn Smythe Trophy, alongside Connor McDavid, has propelled the Edmonton Oilers to become favorites in their series against the Dallas Stars, led by postseason scoring leader Mikko Rantanen.

Rantanen's prowess, noted by three-time Cup champion Ken Daneyko, could shift the narrative as the Stars seek redemption after last year's defeat. In contrast, the Oilers boast depth, with 16 players contributing goals, but their success hinges on the elite performances of McDavid and Draisaitl.

In the East, the Florida Panthers emerge as contenders, with Sergei Bobrovsky in stellar form, while the Carolina Hurricanes look to topple them, driven by their top line's recent success. The upcoming series promises a thrilling showdown with potential playoff implications and player performances that could impact fantasy leagues.