The Ottawa Senators took a chance on Samuel Ersson last week, acquiring his rights from the Toronto Maple Leafs before deciding not to give him a qualifying offer. The two sides are still talking, but if Ottawa wants to add another goalie this summer, Stuart Skinner feels like the better option.
Ersson had a difficult season with the Philadelphia Flyers, finishing with an .870 save percentage and a 3.12 goals-against average in 33 games. The team in front of him didn't do him many favours, but that's still a lot to overlook. Ottawa is trying to get back into the playoffs. Which is why they need a more reliable backup goalie, and that’s why Skinner stands out more than Ersson.
Skinner is a better backup goalie option
Skinner wasn’t elite, but he did carry a heavy workload in the past. This past season, he posted a 2.92 goals-against average and an .888 save percentage in 50 games between the Edmonton Oilers and Pittsburgh Penguins. As mentioned, he carried the heavier workload in the past, which was when he was the Edmonton Oilers’ starter during consecutive trips to the Stanley Cup Final, and that's not something many goalies on this market can say.
At 27, Skinner still has something to prove, especially with all the doubters from the Oilers’ fanbase. Behind Linus Ullmark, Ottawa wouldn't be asking him to play 55 or 60 games. They'd be asking him to give them steady starts, keep the team in games, and be ready if Ullmark misses time or if he is injured.
After the shocking trade that sent Brady Tkachuk to the Florida Panthers, the Senators are working to improve and become a more well-rounded club. One of the biggest areas would be between the pipes. While Ersson is a good backup option for someone who is going to play 20-25 games. Adding Skinner may be the more logical choice to give Ullmark more rest throughout the regular season.
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