Two weeks later, the pros and cons of the Stuart Skinner for Tristan Jarry trade
I was actually a bit baffled as to why the Oilers traded away this much of a haul for a struggling goalie whose team had publicly said they would not retain salary — a really bad idea when you’re trying to unload a struggling player. I did find it amusing that the Oilers sent out a second-round pick so far in the future — but let’s just be honest, Pittsburgh had to bend somewhere to make the trade work.
I don’t have strong feelings one way or the other about this trade, because honestly I can see it from both sides. Let’s go through it now.
Why I don’t like this trade
The reasons I don’t like this trade are, first and foremost, that Jarry is older. He’s 30, three years older than Skinner, so he’s not a long-term solution. We can only hope that one of Samuel Jonsson or Nathaniel Day emerges during that time to replace him down the road, because with a very few exceptions going into the playoffs with a player on the wrong side of 30 is not a good idea.
My mantra when it comes to any goalie trade is he had to be a clear upgrade on Skinner, and I don’t see Jarry as that.
I’m well aware that Skinner has his flaws, but he seemed to be doing better once the skaters in front of him played better defence. I was fine with trading Skinner as long as the player was a clear upgrade, which IMO Jarry isn’t.
One, Kulak’s regular-season performance had fallen off over the last couple of seasons, even though his playoff performances were still solid. But, that being said, I wasn’t really a fan of his cap hit, and he probably would’ve looked for a raise on his $2.75-million cap hit, which is already a lot for what is mostly a third-pairing blue liner that does spot duty in the top four.
Two, the Oilers needed to shed more salary to make up for the fact that Jarry has more than double the cap hit of Skinner. Kulak was the logical choice. Both he and Skinner were in contract years and were likely due raises that the Oilers probably didn’t want to spend money on.
Still, though, I have a feeling the Oilers will miss Kulak come playoff time. Maybe they trade with Pittsburgh to re-acquire him at the trade deadline as a rental and then let him walk in free agency.
Why I like this trade
There are reasons why I like this trade, too.
The Oilers now have cost certainty at the goalie position as Jarry has two more seasons after this one at a cap hit of $5.375-million. Since there aren’t that many goalies available in free agency, if Skinner isn’t re-upped in Pittsburgh, then another team’s GM is bound to overpay him in free agency. It’s a good thing that the team won’t be the Oilers. Getting rid of two contracts you won’t have to worry about is definitely a good thing. Kulak will probably get overpaid in free agency, too, or be signed to too much term. I highly doubt that team is the Oilers.
As this was a trade for two problem children, Jarry, like Skinner, gets his chance at a fresh start with a superior team. Never underestimate the impact of a fresh start trade on a guy. Some players can’t take advantage of it, but many do. Jarry has been traded up to a Cup contender, while Kulak and Skinner are now gone to a team on the down.
