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Kyle Dubas details the message sent to Penguins locker room after the Stuart Skinner trade
Photo credit: Edit from The Hockey News
Penguins GM Kyle Dubas revealed the message that was sent to the Penguins locker room shortly after acquiring goalie Stuart Skinner from the Oilers.
In a surprising roster maneuver, the Pittsburgh Penguins traded for goalie Stuart Skinner from the Edmonton Oilers on Friday. Penguins GM Kyle Dubas states the move was one that could shift their team's course.
This trade involved Pittsburgh trading goalie Tristan Jarry and forward Sam Poulin to Edmonton in exchange for Skinner, defenseman Brett Kulak, and a second-round pick in 2029.
The message that Kyle Dubas sent to the team's locker room with this trade
This trade helps Pittsburgh's goaltender situation, their defense, as well as their draft pool. Dubas said this trade sent a message to the locker room in terms of what's expected moving forward.
"The message to the room is that Stu Skinner has had a very good run in Edmonton as well," Dubas said on Friday. "I know this year didn't start off the way that he or the team would have wanted it to, but I think, especially of late, he's been back playing his game to the level that he's expected.
"That'll be up to Stu and (goalie coach) Andy Chiodo and our performance staff and coaching staff and our whole group to support him, have him come in and play well. Obviously, I think if you're in his shoes, it's a lot to prove. I mean, they've made the move to go away from him, and we'll give him the best opportunity we can to be at his best."
- Kyle Dubas
"That'll be up to Stu and (goalie coach) Andy Chiodo and our performance staff and coaching staff and our whole group to support him, have him come in and play well. Obviously, I think if you're in his shoes, it's a lot to prove. I mean, they've made the move to go away from him, and we'll give him the best opportunity we can to be at his best."
- Kyle Dubas
Skinner has gotten off to a rocky start in this young season, as he is 11-8-4 with a 2.83 GAA and .891 save percentage.
Why this trade was of importance to the Penguins
Of far more importance to Pittsburgh is that he played a crucial role in helping the Oilers reach the Stanley Cup finals in back-to-back years.
Head coach Dan Muse believes that this playoff experience is a good thing for the team in their efforts to stabilize their play. Kulak's experience in crunch times is a big boost for their blueline as well.
Both Skinner and Kulak appeared as non-roster players for immigration reasons yesterday, with the Penguins managing their debuts on a day-by-day basis without any fixed schedule yet.
Pittsburgh returns to play on Sunday afternoon with a home game against the Utah Mammoth with a 3 pm start.
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DECEMBRE 14 | 259 ANSWERS Kyle Dubas details the message sent to Penguins locker room after the Stuart Skinner trade Will Stuart Skinner guide the Penguins to the playoffs? | ||
| Yes | 109 | 42.1 % |
| No | 150 | 57.9 % |
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