The Detroit Red Wings most assuredly have an offseason shopping list this summer. After all, one of the biggest criticisms of this year’s squad was its lack of depth. While that depth will almost solely focus on the blue line and the bottom six, there’s one area that could use some depth: Goaltending, in particular, UFA netminder Stuart Skinner.
Now, I know what fans are thinking: The Red Wings have the deepest goaltending pipeline in the NHL. Trey Augustine and Sebastian Cossa will be the tandem of the future. Meanwhile, Michal Postava could push for an NHL job, too.
So, why another goalie? Well, if that goalie is Skinner, the Red Wings could get some much-needed insurance while Augustine, Cossa and Postava all graduate to the NHL at one point or another.
Here’s the thing: John Gibson will be 33 next season and entering the final year of his current contract. This season’s backup, Cam Talbot, is 38 and will be a UFA. Unless Cossa, for instance, is ready to step in and play 35 games next season and then 55 in 2027-28, with one of Augustine or Postava ready to play 35 to 40 games as well, the Red Wings will need a reliable backup.
Signing Skinner to a low AAV l this season could make sense for the Red Wings. Starting the season with Gibson and Skinner as the tandem would give Detroit plenty of cover, especially if Gibson gets off to a rough start like he did this season.
Plus, it would take the pressure off Cossa to come up to the NHL immediately. He could start the year in Grand Rapids, and depending on how things go, could come up and take over for either Skinner or Gibson.
Once Gibson hits free agency in the summer of 2027, the Red Wings won’t really need to re-sign him, as a tandem of Skinner and Cossa, or even Augustine, already in the mix, would preclude the need for Gibson.
This idea only makes sense if Skinner signs short-term
So, this entire idea only makes sense if Skinner is willing to sign a short-term deal. Skinner is coming off another run-of-the-mill season between the Edmonton Oilers and Pittsburgh Penguins.
The 27-year-old got another shot at playing in the postseason, but lost his job to backup Arturs Silovs after two rough games against the Philadelphia Flyers in the first round of the playoffs. While the Penguins may still bring Skinner back, there is always the chance that he might want to test the free agent waters.
If that’s the case, a team like the Red Wings would pluck Skinner for a one or two-year, show-me deal, to prove he still deserves one more kick at the NHL can.
While Skinner looks to prove he still belongs, he can buy the Red Wings enough time for their goaltending prospects to fully graduate to the NHL. And, if Skinner becomes expendable, there will be plenty of teams out there who would be willing to trade for a veteran goalie, especially if injuries become an issue.
Lastly, the likelihood of the Red Wings signing Skinner depends on the price tag. If he’s willing to sign for a deal around his current $2.6 million cap hit, or even lower, especially on a one-year deal, the likelihood could increase.
But if Skinner is hoping to get paid, the best thing the Red Wings can do is look at other options out there.
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