Don Cherry Voices Major Concern Over Stuart Skinner Ahead of Oilers’ Stanley Cup Final Run

As the Edmonton Oilers advance to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time in nearly two decades, there’s a sense of both excitement and anxiety in Alberta. Led by the electric Connor McDavid and high-flying Leon Draisaitl, the team has powered its way through the Western Conference playoffs. But as the Oilers prepare to face off against the Florida Panthers—a team equally built for the postseason—one critical question remains unanswered: can goaltender Stuart Skinner hold up under the intense pressure of a Stanley Cup Final?

That’s the exact concern raised by none other than Canadian hockey icon Don Cherry. Never one to mince words, Cherry has publicly questioned whether Skinner has the mental and technical stability to carry the Oilers through what will undoubtedly be the toughest test of their season. Cherry’s remarks, delivered in a recent radio appearance and widely shared across Canadian sports media, have sparked a renewed debate about Skinner’s readiness and the Oilers’ goaltending depth.

Skinner’s Rocky Start to the Season

To fully understand the skepticism surrounding Stuart Skinner, one must look back to the beginning of the 2024–25 season. Skinner, 25, entered the campaign with high expectations after a solid, if unspectacular, showing the previous year. However, his performance in the first two months was a major concern. His save percentage dipped below .870, and he struggled to provide the kind of game-stealing performances that elite NHL teams often rely upon.

By mid-November, the Oilers made a bold move: veteran Jack Campbell was waived and demoted to the AHL. The organization had, in effect, handed the crease over to Skinner. For a young goaltender with limited playoff experience, it was a career-defining moment.

A Strong Rebound and Growing Confidence

Remarkably, Skinner responded well. From December onward, his game improved dramatically. He posted a .919 save percentage over a 30-game stretch and showed a newfound calm in his crease. His positioning improved, he cut down on rebounds, and perhaps most importantly, he began to look like a goaltender who could handle the mental strain of high-stakes hockey.

In the playoffs, Skinner has continued to show growth. Heading into the Stanley Cup Final, he holds a 1.81 goals-against average (GAA) and a .919 save percentage—numbers that, on paper, suggest a goalie playing the best hockey of his life. But numbers, as Cherry argues, don’t always tell the full story.

Don Cherry’s Blunt Assessment

During his recent segment on a Toronto sports radio show, Don Cherry expressed his admiration for Skinner’s resilience, but he didn’t hold back his concerns.

“I like the kid, don’t get me wrong,” Cherry began. “But this is the Stanley Cup Final we’re talking about. This isn’t Game 32 in December against the Coyotes. He’s going to be tested by a team [Florida] that goes hard to the net, screens you, jams at loose pucks, and makes life miserable for goaltenders.”

Cherry pointed to Skinner’s inconsistencies during the second round against the Vancouver Canucks, where he was pulled in two games and replaced by backup Calvin Pickard.

“You think Florida isn’t going to notice that?” Cherry said. “They’re going to be all over this guy from the first puck drop. I just don’t know if he’s ready for that kind of heat.”

Oilers’ Leadership Rallies Behind Skinner

Unsurprisingly, Cherry’s comments didn’t sit well in the Oilers’ locker room. Head coach Kris Knoblauch defended his goaltender passionately in a post-practice press conference.

“We believe in Stu,” Knoblauch stated. “He’s been one of the biggest reasons we’re in the Final. Every player has ups and downs, especially in the playoffs. But the way he’s responded to adversity speaks volumes about his character.”

Veteran defenseman Darnell Nurse echoed the sentiment, adding, “We’ve seen him grow up in front of us. He’s earned his spot. We know he’s going to be ready.”

Breaking Down Skinner’s Style of Play

From a technical standpoint, Skinner is a classic positional goalie. He doesn’t rely on athleticism or desperation saves like some of the league’s flashier netminders. Instead, he plays a calm, controlled game—staying square to the puck and using his 6’4″ frame to his advantage. His puck-tracking ability is above average, and his rebound control has improved steadily over the season.

However, critics like Cherry argue that Skinner lacks the “X-factor” that championship goalies often exhibit—an ability to make impossible saves in clutch moments. In a series where the margins are razor-thin, one soft goal can swing momentum, and that’s what worries the skeptics.

Florida’s Offensive Threat

The Florida Panthers pose a unique challenge for Skinner. Their offense, led by Matthew Tkachuk, Aleksander Barkov, and Carter Verhaeghe, is known for relentless forechecking and generating traffic in front of the net. They thrive on chaos, deflections, and rebounds—all of which test a goalie’s poise and mental toughness.

In last year’s Cup Final, Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky was lights-out until the Vegas Golden Knights cracked his code. If Skinner wants to flip that script, he’ll need to outduel a seasoned Vezina winner in Bobrovsky.

What Happens If Skinner Falters?

One of the underlying fears for Oilers fans is the lack of playoff-proven depth behind Skinner. Backup Calvin Pickard has been serviceable in relief, but he doesn’t carry the pedigree or experience to be a reliable option in a Stanley Cup Final. There’s no Marc-André Fleury or Corey Crawford waiting in the wings. If Skinner struggles, the Oilers are in a bind.

This lack of depth is precisely what fuels the worry behind Cherry’s critique. It’s not just about Skinner’s talent—it’s about the fact that Edmonton has no safety net.

The Weight of a Nation

Another factor that can’t be ignored is the pressure of playing for a Canadian team in the Final. No Canadian franchise has won the Cup since the Montreal Canadiens in 1993. For 30 years, teams north of the border have come up short, often heartbreakingly so.

Skinner, an Edmonton native, grew up watching the Oilers and idolizing their past heroes. Now he’s tasked with delivering a championship to his hometown—and perhaps to an entire nation hungry for NHL glory. That pressure is both a motivator and a potential burden.

As the Oilers take the ice for Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final, the spotlight will burn brightest on Stuart Skinner. Will he rise to the occasion and etch his name alongside legendary Oilers goaltenders like Grant Fuhr and Bill Ranford? Or will Cherry’s concerns prove prophetic?

The beauty—and cruelty—of the Stanley Cup Final is that legacies are made in real time. For Stuart Skinner, the next few games will determine whether he becomes a hero in Edmonton or another “what-if” in Canada’s ongoing Cup drought.

Whatever the outcome, one thing is certain: the eyes of the hockey world, and of one sharp-tongued broadcaster in particular, will be watching.