The Edmonton Oilers are standing at a crossroads as the 2025–26 NHL season kicks off. Everyone knows the team’s big offensive stars will show up. But what about the goalie?
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Peter Aubry, the Oilers’ new goalie coach, has one clear, no-excuses job: help Stuart Skinner find the kind of consistency Edmonton desperately needs between the pipes. Because if Skinner can’t lock it down, all the firepower in the world won’t be enough to get the Oilers over the playoff hump.
Meet Peter Aubry—The Calm in the Storm
So, who is Peter Aubry? He’s far from a flashy name, but he’s a solid hockey lifer who knows goalies inside and out. Aubry played professionally in North America and Europe, then spent years coaching and developing goalies, most recently with the Chicago Blackhawks organization and Nebraska–Omaha. He has a reputation for being calm, patient, and methodical—precisely what a goalie like Skinner needs.
With Aubry, there’s no hype, just steady work to build fundamentals and confidence. That kind of work is not flashy, but in the NHL crease, steady often beats spectacular.
With Stuart Skinner, the Talent’s There: But Can He Stay Steady?
Skinner has shown he can steal games and make jaw-dropping saves. But he’s also had his share of rough patches. Last season wasn’t his best—a 2.81 goals-against average and a .896 save percentage. That’s not terrible, but it’s not what you want if you’re chasing a Stanley Cup.
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In the playoffs, Skinner was a mixed bag. He put up three shutouts and manufactured some clutch moments. But he also had some shaky outings that left fans and coaches wondering if he could handle the pressure night after night.
Here’s the harsh truth: when the Oilers faced the toughest teams, Skinner’s numbers weren’t outstanding. That’s a red flag. Consistency during the postseason isn’t just nice to have—it’s essential. And Skinner hasn’t been there yet. The question is whether he can get there. The point? Aubry has work to do.
There’s No Plan B…
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