The Edmonton Oilers have fired their goalie coach, Dustin Schwartz, after a decade with the team, signaling a potential shift in their approach to goaltending, particularly concerning Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard. This move is one of several expected within the Oilers' coaching staff this offseason.

Schwartz's tenure, which began in November 2014, saw numerous goaltenders come and go, but the Oilers struggled to find stability in the net. This inconsistency has prompted the organization to seek a fresh perspective. According to NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman, the decision to move on from Schwartz reflects a belief that a new approach could benefit Skinner, a young goalie the Oilers still have faith in.

Throughout the playoffs, Skinner and Pickard split time in the net, further fueling speculation about the Oilers' long-term plans. While some fans have called for Skinner to be replaced, Friedman believes the Oilers will keep Skinner and instead look for a new backup goalie. He noted that the Oilers might seek to change Skinner's partner, not because of Pickard's performance, but to end the uncertainty in the net.

Pickard, who has served as a backup for the past two years, has posted a decent record, but the Oilers may be looking for a more reliable option to solidify their goaltending. Given the current goalie market and the Oilers' cap restrictions, finding a suitable tandem goalie via trade might be challenging.

The decision to fire Schwartz comes after years of criticism from fans, who felt the team's goaltending was not up to par. Skinner's performance has also been a concern, with his save percentage declining in recent years. Some analysts have pointed out specific areas of concern, such as Skinner's lateral movement, which has been ranked among the slowest in the league.

While Pickard has defended Schwartz, acknowledging his impact on the team's goalies, the Oilers seem ready for a change. A new goalie coach could bring a different approach to Skinner's development, potentially addressing the weaknesses in his game and helping him reach his full potential. The Oilers are also reportedly looking to hire a specialized skills coach, indicating a broader effort to improve their coaching staff. Head coach Kris Knoblauch and GM Stan Bowman will begin interviewing candidates for the goalie coach position in the coming weeks.

The Oilers' next move will be crucial in shaping their goaltending situation for the upcoming season. The new goalie coach will be tasked with working with Skinner to improve his consistency and potentially finding a new backup to create a more stable and reliable tandem. This could involve slight adjustments or a complete overhaul of the team's goaltending strategy.