Wayne Gretzky creates controversy, blames Oilers' Stanley Cup collapse on unforgivable goalie decision
The Edmonton Oilers' hopes for Stanley Cup redemption were dashed once again, and this time, franchise icon Wayne Gretzky is openly questioning the team's decisions—particularly their unstable goaltending situation.
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After a 5-1 loss to the Florida Panthers in Game 6 of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final, the Oilers were left facing not just defeat, but criticism from one of the most respected voices in hockey history.
Wayne Gretzky calls out Oilers' goaltending chaos after second straight Stanley Cup Final loss
Wayne Gretzky, who led Edmonton to four Stanley Cups in the 1980s, did not hold back during his analysis on Turner Sports after the game. Focusing squarely on the team's goalie rotation, he stated, 'Is this our goalie or not? They gotta solidify that.
You can't go into Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Finals and switch your goaltenders. That's very rare that it's ever happened.'
The Oilers started Stuart Skinner in Game 6, despite benching him in Games 4 and 5 due to subpar performances. Skinner stopped 20 of 23 shots, but the Panthers sealed the win with two empty-net goals in the third period. For many fans and experts alike, the indecision surrounding Skinner's role became a glaring issue—not just a symptom of struggle, but a sign of strategic instability at the worst possible time.
Gretzky's comments reflect what many fans have been feeling: the team's inability to lock down a reliable netminder may be the Achilles' heel in an otherwise championship-caliber roster.
Back-to-back Stanley Cup heartbreak raises serious questions for Oilers leadership
This marks the second consecutive year the Oilers have fallen to the Panthers in the Final, deepening the sense of frustration for a franchise that hasn't lifted the Cup since 1990—two years after Gretzky's departure to the Los Angeles Kings.
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The legacy of Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and this current core now hangs in the balance. With their window to win narrowing, the pressure is mounting on Edmonton's front office to fix what's broken—starting with the crease.
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As Gretzky's pointed critique echoes through the hockey world, one thing is clear: championship teams don't just need stars—they need stability. And for the Oilers, that starts in net.
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