PITTSBURGH (Dec. 12, 2025) — The NHL trade market exploded on Friday morning as the Pittsburgh Penguins and Edmonton Oilers executed a major goaltending swap, sending two-time All-Star Tristan Jarry to Edmonton in exchange for starter Stuart Skinner.
The move signals a desperate attempt by the Oilers—back-to-back Stanley Cup finalists—to stabilize their crease after a rocky start to the 2025-26 campaign.
The Full Trade Details
To Edmonton Oilers:
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Tristan Jarry (G): 9-3-1 record, .909 SV%, 2.66 GAA (2025-26 stats)
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Sam Poulin (F): Former 2019 first-round pick
To Pittsburgh Penguins:
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Stuart Skinner (G): 11-8-4 record, .891 SV%, 2.83 GAA
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Brett Kulak (D): Veteran defenseman with 2 points in 31 games this season
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2029 2nd-Round Draft Pick
Why The Oilers Made the Move
Despite reaching the Stanley Cup Final the past two seasons, goaltending has remained the Oilers’ Achilles’ heel. Stuart Skinner, 27, has struggled to find consistency this year, posting an .891 save percentage that ranks near the bottom of the league among starters. With the championship window for superstars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl wide open, GM Stan Bowman pulled the trigger on a veteran upgrade.
Jarry, 30, arrives in Edmonton amidst a resurgence. After a tumultuous 2024-25 season that saw him demoted to the AHL, he has bounced back under new Penguins coach Dan Muse, posting solid numbers for a surprising Pittsburgh squad. He brings a 2.66 goals-against average and a .909 save percentage to a team desperate for saves.
Why The Penguins Made the Move
For Pittsburgh, the deal appears to be about long-term flexibility and asset management. Jarry is signed through the 2027-28 season with a $5.375 million cap hit, while Skinner is a pending unrestricted free agent (UFA) with a manageable $2.6 million cap hit.
By moving Jarry, the Penguins clear future cap space and add a serviceable veteran defenseman in Brett Kulak, plus a future second-round pick. They also open a clearer path for top goaltending prospect Sergey Murashov, who impressed during a brief NHL stint earlier this season.
Secondary Move: Oilers Shore Up Defense
In a corresponding move to fill the hole left by Brett Kulak, the Oilers also acquired defenseman Spencer Stastney from the Nashville Predators in exchange for a 2027 third-round draft pick. Stastney, 25, has recorded nine points in 30 games for Nashville this season.
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