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Kyle Dubas discusses unexpected factor that led the Penguins to trade for Stuart Skinner


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Tyler Ball
December 12, 2025  (9:35 PM)
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Pittsburgh Penguins GM Kyle Dubas addressing the media.
Photo credit: NHL.com

Tonight, Pittsburgh Penguins GM Kyle Dubas spoke to the media and gave an unexpected reason why the Penguins coveted Stuart Skinner in today's trade.

The Pittsburgh Penguins surprised the hockey world today by finally pulling off a goaltender swap with the Edmonton Oilers acquiring Stuart Skinner and other assets for Tristan Jarry.
In the aftermath of the trade, Dubas was praised for getting out of Jarry's contract without retaining money while acquiring future assets.
However, many fans were frustrated by the Penguins taking on Stuart Skinner who is a volatile goalie much like Jarry who they were moving on from.
During a new press conference, Dubas admitting that being able to land Skinner was a massive part of this deal for one specific reason.

Kyle Dubas excited to add Stanley Cup Playoff pedigree with Stuart Skinner

According to Dubas, the addition of Skinner in this deal was the biggest win now piece of the deal for the Penguins.
With where we're at, this and the opportunity to bring in a goalie that has deep experience in 'Stu,' plus the draft pick, it just made sense for us to do it at this time,» Dubas said. «I think Tristan is, as everyone here has seen, is extremely talented. And it'll be a great opportunity for him in Edmonton, where he's had success in junior with the (Edmonton) Oil Kings (of the Western Hockey League) and they made their homes there. So, I'm happy for him.

Head coach Dan Muse echoed this sentiment admitting that adding a player with Stanley Cup pedigree is something that cannot be truly measured.
You can't put a price on that type of experience. Two years in a row, too. It's a lot of it. So, yeah, excited for him and the opportunity here. I think the playoffs are so hard.

To have been there and to have been through it and to be through that kind of a grind and to be able to learn from it, like, yeah, that experience, you don't have that in every single locker room. So, it's another guy here now coming in that has that.

The Penguins are currently in a Stanley Cup Playoff spot to the surprise of many and now have made a deal to further their odds of giving Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin another shot to lift the Stanley Cup.
In addition, they set up the future of the franchise well to move forward and compete even if they fall short in 2025-26.
Over the next few months, it will be fascinating to see how this trade works out for both sides and which team will come out on top.
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Kyle Dubas discusses unexpected factor that led the Penguins to trade for Stuart Skinner

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