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.

In today's NHL landscape, teams are increasingly cautious about investing heavily in goaltending on the trade market. Many organizations believe they can achieve success with average goaltending, provided their supporting roster is strong enough. For instance, the Vegas Golden Knights triumphed with Adin Hill, not necessarily recognized as a top-tier goalie, largely due to the team's strong defensive core. Teams like Edmonton maintain confidence in their current goaltenders, Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard, believing that improvements to their offensive depth can offset any shortcomings in net.

This trend reflects a broader strategy where teams prefer to allocate resources to bolster their skater positions rather than overpaying for goaltending talent. Darcy Kuemper's success with Colorado exemplifies how a talented roster can support a goaltender and still achieve remarkable outcomes. As teams continue to evaluate their rosters, the emphasis on maximizing value from goaltending while investing in other areas remains pivotal.

The Los Angeles Kings' promising season ended in disappointment after a first-round playoff exit against the Edmonton Oilers, marking the team’s 11th consecutive season without a playoff series win. Despite tying franchise records for wins and points, the Kings fell short, losing the series 4-2. The Kings dominated early games at home but faltered in critical moments, such as Game 3 and Game 4, where they relinquished leads that could have shifted the series' outcome.

The Kings had high hopes this postseason, especially after acquiring Andrei Kuzmenko at the trade deadline, leading to a strong finish in regular season play. However, missed opportunities and a struggle on defense during critical periods proved costly. Team captain Anze Kopitar expressed frustration over the outcome, emphasizing the pain of coming up short despite the team's talent and potential to succeed in the playoffs.

Connor Hellebuyck of the Winnipeg Jets, Darcy Kuemper of the Los Angeles Kings, and Andrei Vasilevskiy of the Tampa Bay Lightning have been named finalists for the prestigious Vezina Trophy for the 2024-25 season. This award is bestowed upon the league's best goaltender as voted by the 32 NHL general managers.

Hellebuyck, who previously won the award in 2020 and 2021, had a stellar season, achieving a career-high in wins (47), with eight shutouts, a .925 save percentage, and a 2.00 goals-against average (GAA). Kuemper, at age 34, bounced back with a record of 31-11-7, posting a .921 save percentage and a GAA of 2.02, while matching his personal best with five shutouts. Vasilevskiy, a former Vezina winner in 2019, contributed significantly with a 38-20-5 record, a .921 save percentage, a 2.18 GAA, and six shutouts.

Connor Hellebuyck of the Winnipeg Jets is on track to reclaim the Vezina Trophy, having been nominated alongside Darcy Kuemper and Andrei Vasilevskiy. Hellebuyck's stunning regular season featured 47 wins, 8 shutouts, a 2.00 goals-against average, and a .925 save percentage, leading the Jets to the league's best record. However, his performance has faltered in the playoffs, with 11 goals allowed in two games against the St. Louis Blues, tying their first-round series.

Darcy Kuemper, in his second season with the Los Angeles Kings, enjoyed a solid campaign as well, posting a 31-11-7 record. Meanwhile, Andrei Vasilevskiy of the Tampa Bay Lightning, a five-time finalist for the award, also had a commendable season with a 38-20-5 record, contributing to the Lightning’s postseason push. As playoff matchups intensify, all eyes will be on these goaltenders as they strive for excellence.