Stuart Skinner's contract demands rise after Avalanche sign Mackenzie Blackwood

The Colorado Avalanche have signed goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood to a five-year contract worth $5.25 million annually. This deal is expected to influence the contract negotiations for Edmonton Oilers' goaltender Stuart Skinner, who is seeking a significant raise. Skinner, currently earning $2.6 million, has shown improvement in his performance. His statistics are comparable to Blackwood's, and if he continues to excel, his next contract could exceed $7 million, with some estimates reaching up to $9 million. The NHL salary cap is projected to increase significantly in the coming years, which may impact the Oilers' ability to retain Skinner. The team faces potential challenges in managing their roster while aiming to keep their starting goaltender.