Imagine facing off against your old teammates in a high-stakes NHL showdown, knowing you've just switched jerseys—what a wild twist of fate that could redefine a career! This is the thrilling reality for goalie Stuart Skinner as he embarks on his Pittsburgh Penguins debut against his former Edmonton Oilers squad, featuring superstars like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. It's a moment that's equal parts exciting and emotional, and trust me, there's so much more to unpack here that might surprise even the most die-hard hockey fans.
© Pittsburgh Penguins/Getty Images
By Wes Crosby
NHL.com Independent Correspondent
December 16, 2025
CRANBERRY, Pa. -- Stuart Skinner (https://www.nhl.com/player/stuart-skinner-8479973) stepped onto the ice for a morning practice session on Tuesday, marking his official arrival with the Pittsburgh Penguins following a trade from the Edmonton Oilers just last Friday. Bureaucratic hurdles related to immigration prevented him from suiting up during a pair of weekend matches, but now he's fully integrated and ready to roll.
His gear told the story perfectly. Donning a black Penguins jersey, black shorts adorned with gold accents, and white pads featuring a touch of gold, he looked every bit the part of his new team. But here's where it gets controversial—his helmet still sported the classic orange and blue of the Oilers, complete with their logo front and center. It's a visual reminder of his roots, and you have to wonder: Should players be allowed to wear old team gear in such situations, or does it blur the lines of loyalty in a sport where trades are commonplace? But this is the part most people miss: That helmet will be on full display during his inaugural Penguins start, set for Tuesday at PPG Paints Arena against McDavid, Draisaitl, and the rest of his ex-Oilers colleagues (7:30 p.m. ET; HBO MAX, truTV, TNT, SNW, SNO, SNE).
“It’s kind of hilarious,” Skinner remarked with a chuckle. “We’re jumping straight into the deep end, which I actually prefer. It’s better to rip off the bandage quickly and move on, but I also want to savor the experience.”
The swap brought Skinner and defender Brett Kulak (https://www.nhl.com/player/brett-kulak-8476967) to Pittsburgh, along with a second-round draft pick in 2029. In return, Edmonton received netminder Tristan Jarry (https://www.nhl.com/player/tristan-jarry-8477465)—who'll also be playing against his old team for the first time—and forward Samuel Poulin (https://www.nhl.com/player/samuel-poulin-8481591).
“I get the chance to go up against my previous teammates, and Brett and I are doing it side by side,” Skinner shared excitedly. “That’s purely thrilling, no doubt about it.”
Over six seasons with the Oilers since they drafted him in the third round (78th overall) of the 2017 NHL Draft, Skinner amassed a record of 109 wins, 62 losses, and 18 ties, boasting a goals-against average (GAA) of 2.74 and a save percentage of .904 across 197 games (with 191 starts). For beginners diving into hockey, GAA measures how many goals a goalie allows per game on average, while save percentage indicates the fraction of shots they stop—higher numbers are better, and Skinner's stats show he was a solid performer. He played a key role in helping Edmonton advance to the Stanley Cup Final in the last two years, though they fell short each time to the Florida Panthers.
Edmonton (15-12-6) believed Jarry might be the key to finally securing that elusive championship title. Skinner, currently at 11-8-4 with a 2.83 GAA and .891 save percentage in 23 outings this season, had heard the trade whispers for about five years, he admitted.
