Canucks: Do Stuart Skinner's struggles raise Thatcher Demko's value?

National Post

a day ago

In trying to understand the state of the NHL goalie market in the context of the ongoing Stanley Cup Final, you can absolutely look at the performance of Stuart Skinner.
Article content
The Edmonton Oilers ' main goalie has had a rough last two games. His team now trails the best-of-seven series 2-1 to the Florida Panthers.
Article content
Article content
The Oilers' struggles the past two games are not all on Skinner, but you're not alone if you've thought, 'Man, the Oilers sure could have used a few big saves tonight.'
Article content
Of course, Skinner hasn't exactly had a lot of help. According to Clear Sight Analytics, the Panthers have generated 27 high-danger chances through just three games — the Oilers gave up just 28 in the whole of the Dallas series last round, 32 across the five games of the Vegas series.
Article content
That's a lot. If you're going to stick with below-average goaltending, you've got to defend in front better
Article content
The Oilers have made a choice over the years to not chase after a high-profile netminder. They have stuck it out the past two seasons, paying a combined $3.5 million to Skinner and backup Calvin Pickard, basically a third of what the Panthers pay to just their undisputed No. 1 goalie Sergei Bobrovsky.
Article content
Article content
It will be interesting to see what Florida GM Bill Zito does this summer. Bobrovsky's big contract comes to an end, and it wasn't a deal signed by Zito, rather by his predecessor Dale Tallon (who is now a Canucks senior adviser, for the record).
Article content
You can look at the choice the Oilers have made with their goalies and note two things: First, that they've made two Stanley Cup Finals back-to-back with this tandem, so maybe goalies are an area you should hold your salary cap line on. But second, that maybe they should have found themselves a goalie that costs a little more?
Article content
Article content
If they do go hunting for an upgrade, even a small one, will that happen this summer? There isn't exactly a surge of goalies coming available in free agency soon — but there could be a number of names available in the summer of 2026. And there are lessons here for the Canucks.
Article content
Article content
'Why pay premium in the summer when you can shop before the (2026) deadline with a list that currently could include Demko, Markstrom, Bob, Gustavsson, Stolarz, Nedeljkovic, Brossoit, Andersen, Talbot and Ingram,' posits InGoal Magazine's Kevin Woodley. 'Sure, some will re-up, but that's a pretty good list to choose from ranging from great 1B to legit No. 1 starters.'
Article content
Demko being in the list is a reminder of how the Canucks may have to make some choices in goal themselves: they've got Kevin Lankinen under contract, so half their tandem is clearly settled. But what's the thinking on Demko, who for all intents and purposes remains No. 1 on their depth chart, though he's coming off yet another injury-plagued season.