With the NHL playoffs being conducted, there is action in the boardroom with the decisions outside the arena. The Edmonton Oilers are said to be considering putting Stuart Skinner back into goal as they hope to tie up their series against the Los Angeles Kings. Meanwhile, Boston Bruins goaltender Joonas Korpisalo may be available in the offseason. The Columbus Blue Jackets seem to be in conjunction with all these happenings and are gearing up for some major alterations in their future.
Massive for the Edmonton Oilers would be redemption for Stuart Skinner
After dropping the first two games against the Los Angeles Kings, the Edmonton Oilers clawed back with a critical win. While Calvin Pickard's efforts in goal contributed to the victory, it's now being said in Edmonton that Stuart Skinner may find his way back into the net for the next game.
Edmonton Oilers News | Stuart Skinner Game 4 Status | Team Update
Having a rough time in his first playoff experience—6.11 GAA and .810 save percentage—he is nevertheless considered an integral part of the Oilers. They're still convinced that he's their best chance to get even in the series. A small-time reset might have given Skinner the mental break he needed to reset his playing mode. Now that the series is swinging, hopefully, their go-to goalie will step up and find a way to keep their Stanley dreams alive.
If Skinner returns, it stands for a greater good for Edmonton’s faith toward its core group of players. Instead of turning completely away from their early failures, they are banking on resilience, one that could characterize their postseason story.
From a reduced role, Joonas Korpisalo has an eye on his future; the Columbus Blue Jackets are preparing for a busy offseason
Looking east, Boston's Joonas Korpisalo has also been contemplating his future with his team. As rumors swirl, Korpisalo is believed to have reservations about staying with the Bruins if his role diminishes further. This decision will depend on how much time is granted to him on the ice and his placement in the Bruins' pecking order of goalies.
In the meantime, the Columbus Blue Jackets head into an important summer. With several pending free agents on their roster, the management must balance mass contracts and trading potential. With rebuilding or retooling decisions at the forefront, along with the NHL Draft occurring soon, this gives the franchise a good opportunity to start redefining itself after a very painful season. Reportedly, coaching hires and front-office decisions are on the agenda, as the team would like stability in the leadership in time for next season.
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Chicago Blackhawks rebuild: Connor Bedard, Korchinski and the next core taking shapeThe 2025 NHL postseason has commenced, and player transactions and managerial decisions are grabbing headlines. Stuart Skinner's resilience, Joonas Korpisalo's imminent departure, and the Columbus Blue Jackets' major offseason decisions are indications of how quickly the league moves from playoff action to planning for the future. The coming weeks should see plenty of exciting events on- and off-ice. Despite the above, there is still uncertainty in the netminder's contract with the Bruins from Joonas Korpisalo's end. The Columbus Blue Jackets are primarily preparing their roster and management changes for the upcoming offseason. Stuart Skinner will, however, be the horse for the next match for the Oilers.