The Toronto Maple Leafs haven’t made it to the Stanley Cup Final since 1967. While the team can take solace in the fact that they took the Florida Panthers to seven games in their series this past playoff run – close enough only works in horseshoes and hand grenades.
Heavy.com proposed a trade that will push them over the edge by acquiring Stuart Skinner of the Edmonton Oilers, who has pushed his team to the Cup Final in back-to-back seasons.
Maple Leafs Acquire:
- Stuart Skinner ($2.6 million)
- Max Jones ($1 million)
Oilers Acquire:
- Joseph Woll ($3.67 million)
This proposal would be massive because of the exchange of goaltenders. Skinner doesn’t have the same degree of injury issues as Joseph Woll. He becomes a solid 1B for Anthony Stolarz, who is more than capable of taking over the starting job if Stolarz falters or suffers injury.
Skinner, 26, was drafted by the Oilers 78th overall in 2017. The 6-foot-4, 230 lb goalie recorded 26 wins and three shutouts during the 2024-25 regular season. He added seven wins and three shutouts in 15 playoff games to his yearly totals.
In this proposal, the Maple Leafs also add Max Jones, 27. The 6-foot-3, 216 lb forward was drafted 24th overall in 2016 by the Anaheim Ducks. The gritty forward recorded two points and 71 hits in 26 games split between the Oilers and Boston Bruins.
This proposal sees the Maple Leafs lose Woll, 27. The 6-foot-3, 206 lb goaltender was the 62nd overall selection by the Maple Leafs in 2016. This past season, he recorded 27 wins and one shutout to go along with a 2.73 goals against average (GAA), and a .909 save percentage (SV%).
Maple Leafs Need a Playoff Performer
Stolarz and Woll have been a solid regular season tandem for the Maple Leafs. But the Stanley Cup doesn’t get handed out after the final buzzer of Game 82.
Right now, the Maple Leafs don’t have much playoff experience between their netminders. Stolarz was great before suffering an injury, but he has only played eight playoff games in his career. Woll brings 14 games of postseason experience to the table.
That’s where Skinner presents an upgrade for the Maple Leafs.
The Edmonton-born goaltender has four years of NHL experience under his belt. He has 50 games of playoff experience across three of those four seasons.
Over the last three playoffs, Skinner ranks third in games played (50), third in wins (26), 13th in GAA (2.88), 15th in SV%, and second in shutouts (4).
Skinner Could Bounce-Back With the Maple Leafs
“Stuart Skinner looks completely different. He looks quicker, more agile, and, when you see him up close, it’s obvious he’s dropped some weight.”
#LetsGoOilersWhile Toronto is not a quieter market than Edmonton, a new team can give the young and experienced netminder a fresh start.
Skinner has transformed this offseason. According to Oilers GM Stan Bowman and Oilers insider Bob Stauffer, the 26-year-old took his conditioning to another level this summer.
“Stuart Skinner looks completely different,” Stauffer said to Bowman. “He looks quicker, more agile, and frankly, when you see him up close, it’s obvious he’s dropped some weight.” Bowman added, “He looks good, he looks quick on the ice.”
Bowman talked about a conversation he had with the netminder. The Oilers’ GM told him, “Wow, you look different.” Skinner responded by explaining that he “wanted to try something different. (To) be a little bit lighter this year.”
Being lighter won’t hurt Skinner. If anything, he should be a solid bet for a bounce-back season. Given his poor regular season last year, right now is the time to buy low on a goalie who should only get better and better. But more importantly, one who knows what it takes to get to the Stanley Cup Final.
Maple Leafs Add Star Goalie With Massive New Trade Pitch