MCDAVID WANTS OILERS TO GO GET BINNINGTON NOW (e4)

Connor McDavid has never been a “putting my foot down” type of superstar.

That has simply never been his style… ever.

HOWEVER, Connor has ALSO never been in a contract situation that feels like it has a drop-dead date looming.

Source: McDavid didn’t sign such a short extension as indication of patience.

McDavid has also never truly blamed the Oilers’ goalies for the lack of Cups during his tenure. Truth be told, while Skinner has yet to do enough to bring it home, he hasn’t been awful in the playoffs either. Let’s not forget this is a NOT EXACTLY a Jennings Trophy–winning team in front of him. Even last year, when Pickard stepped up and was actually solid in the playoffs, it still wasn’t enough.

So what’s the difference between Skinner and Binnington over the last three seasons?

Binnington — Last 3 Seasons (Regular Season)GP: 174Record: 83-70-16GAA: 2.96SV%: .902Shutouts: 3

Skinner — Last 3 Seasons (Regular Season)GP: 160Record: 91-48-14GAA: 2.72SV%: .905Shutouts: 6

As far as the regular season goes… Skinner has been better.

Now let’s go to the playoffs. Of the las three seasons,  Binnington only played playoff games in 2025; Skinner has played in all three years. However, if you step back and look at Binnington’s career, he has played in 48 playoff games. Over the last three years, Skinner has played in 50 playoff games. So comparing them head-to-head:

Binnington — Career PlayoffsGP: 48Record: 23-24GAA: 2.27SV%: .909 Stanley Cups: 1

Skinner — Last 3 PlayoffsGP: 50Record: 26-22GAA: 2.91SV%: .893 Stanley Cups: 0

It’s a little weird, right?

The reality is that most of us probably would’ve assumed that Binnington’s numbers were much better — and Skinner’s numbers were worse than they are… 

Yet there was NO debate heading into the Four Nations tournament last year about who should be the guy in nrt… And you could easily argue Binnington was the reason Canada won. Many observers say Binnington is simply more “fiery” in net. Those in Edmonton will tell you Skinner is not exactly docile

So what’s the difference?

This really comes down to the old Grant Fuhr Theory

Fuhr — Career Regular SeasonGAA: 3.38SV%: .887

GAA: Fuhr 2.92 | Skinner 2.91 | Binnington 2.27

SV%: Fuhr .898 | Skinner .893 | Binnington .909

Of course, Fuhr’s era was much higher-scoring.

So what is the old Grant Fuhr Theory?

“Fuhr made the saves when they needed him too.”

And after Four Nations, that theory could be be why McDavid (and others) see Stanley with Binnington.