Good morning, everyone, and a happy Monday to all of you. I&#8217;ve got a brand new mailbag ready to go after taking your questions and sending them to the crew for their take on whatever is on your mind. This week, we&#8217;re discussing Stuart Skinner&#8217;s rollercoaster start to the year, top six scoring, the Pacific Division, and much more. If you’ve got a question you’d like to ask, email it to me at <a class="text-accent" href="mailto:baggedmilk@oilersnation.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">baggedmilk@oilersnation.com</a> or on Twitter at <a class="text-accent" href="https://www.twitter.com/jsbmbaggedmilk" rel="noopener noreferrer">@jsbmbaggedmilk</a>, and I’ll get to you as soon as I can.

<figure id="attachment_165579" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-165579" style="width: 789px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class=" wp-image-165579" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/USATSI_24603529_168383996_lowres-1024x683.jpg" alt="Edmonton Oilers forward Viktor Arvidsson" width="789" height="526" srcset="https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/USATSI_24603529_168383996_lowres-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/USATSI_24603529_168383996_lowres-300x200.jpg 300w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/USATSI_24603529_168383996_lowres-768x512.jpg 768w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/USATSI_24603529_168383996_lowres-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/USATSI_24603529_168383996_lowres.jpg 1788w" sizes="(max-width: 789px) 100vw, 789px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-165579" class="wp-caption-text">Oct 27, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Edmonton Oilers left wing Viktor Arvidsson (33) handles the puck during the first period against the Detroit Red Wings at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brian Bradshaw Sevald-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure>
1) Dale asks &#8211; How concerned are you with <a href="https://publish.oilersnation.com/2024/12/05/is-anybody-else-worried-about-viktor-arvidsson/">Viktor Arvidsson&#8217;s injury</a>? He hasn&#8217;t played in nearly a month, and the updates don&#8217;t seem to be getting any better.
Jason Gregor:
The good news is they aren’t missing him. The concern is how the injury was supposedly going to be a few days and now he’s missed 11 games. The secrecy around the injury is rather odd.
Liam Horrobin:
More and more concerned after every update. The most I&#8217;ve thought about, I think they believed we would be back within a week and things have just progressed so poorly. I don&#8217;t think we&#8217;ll see him until after Christmas.
Baggedmilk:
I&#8217;m worried about it. He was listed as day-to-day nearly a month ago, and it seems like every update we hear about him just gets worse.
<figure id="attachment_165346" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-165346" style="width: 855px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class=" wp-image-165346" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/USATSI_24885098-1024x689.jpg" alt="Edmonton Oilers celebrate goal" width="855" height="575" srcset="https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/USATSI_24885098-1024x689.jpg 1024w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/USATSI_24885098-300x202.jpg 300w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/USATSI_24885098-768x517.jpg 768w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/USATSI_24885098-1536x1034.jpg 1536w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/USATSI_24885098-2048x1379.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 855px) 100vw, 855px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-165346" class="wp-caption-text">Nov 30, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Edmonton Oilers right wing Kasperi Kapanen (42) celebrates his goal with defenseman Evan Bouchard (2) and defenseman Mattias Ekholm (14) and center Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (93) in the first period against the Colorado Avalanche at Ball Arena.</figcaption></figure>
2) James in Peterborough asks &#8211; When the club&#8217;s forward group is healthy, who do you think makes up the bottom six?
Jason Gregor:
I don’t know when that will be and who will be on the team or not. But if based on current players, I’d say J.Skinner, Henrique, Kapanen, Janmark, Brown and a new C. Perry will rotate in
Liam Horrobin:
<div>Skinner &#8211; Henrique &#8211; Kapanen</div>
<div>Brown &#8211; Janmark &#8211; Perry</div>
Baggedmilk:
Skinner &#8211; Henrique &#8211; Brown 
Kapanen &#8211; Janmark &#8211; Perry
<figure id="attachment_165325" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-165325" style="width: 849px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class=" wp-image-165325" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/USATSI_24485864-1-1024x683.jpg" alt="Edmonton Oilers forward Jeff Skinner" width="849" height="566" srcset="https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/USATSI_24485864-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/USATSI_24485864-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/USATSI_24485864-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/USATSI_24485864-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/USATSI_24485864-1-2048x1366.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 849px) 100vw, 849px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-165325" class="wp-caption-text">Oct 13, 2024; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers forward Jeff Skinner (53) celebrates after scoring a goal during the first period against the Calgary Flames at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure>
3) Randeep asks &#8211; <a href="https://publish.oilersnation.com/2024/07/03/4-fun-facts-about-oilers-new-addition-jeff-skinner/">Jeff Skinner</a> seems to be in a strange spot with the Oilers since he&#8217;s not getting any top six minutes but doesn&#8217;t contribute anywhere else if he&#8217;s not scoring. What do you believe is the best spot in <a href="https://oilersnation.com/combinations">the lineup</a> for him?
Jason Gregor:
On the third line as he has always been someone who can produce 5&#215;5. He had a bit of a funk from game 7-20, but I feel the past few weeks he is playing better and now has three points in his last two games.
Liam Horrobin:
The best spot for him is on a line where he can focus on scoring goals and making plays with the puck, and not where has to get the puck. I don&#8217;t think he works with McDavid or Draisaitl and that&#8217;s fine. Allow him to throw on that third line and give the Oilers more depth.
Baggedmilk:
I wish he would get another look in the top-six to see if there&#8217;s any chemistry with either McDavid or Draisaitl, but it seems like Knoblauch doesn&#8217;t really trust him in one of those spots for whatever reason. Is he in the doghouse? Can he ever get out? Would we have been better off keeping Holloway instead? These are the things I&#8217;m thinking about.
<figure id="attachment_156209" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-156209" style="width: 829px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class=" wp-image-156209" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/USATSI_23596312-1024x683.jpg" alt="Edmonton OIlers Stanley Cup Finals Mattias Ekholm" width="829" height="553" srcset="https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/USATSI_23596312-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/USATSI_23596312-300x200.jpg 300w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/USATSI_23596312-768x512.jpg 768w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/USATSI_23596312-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/USATSI_23596312-2048x1366.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 829px) 100vw, 829px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-156209" class="wp-caption-text">Jun 21, 2024; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers defenseman Mattias Ekholm (14) controls the puck against Florida Panthers center Sam Bennett (9) during the first period in game six of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Place.</figcaption></figure>
4) Gregg asks &#8211; <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/the-oilers-have-traded-tyson-barrie-reid-schaefer-and-two-draft-picks-for-mattias-eklhom">The Mattias Ekholm trade</a> has worked out so very well for the Oilers and could be my favourite in team history. What Oilers trade comes to mind as the best move you can think of?
Jason Gregor:
Pronger for Brewer, Lynch, Woywitka. He only played one season in Edmonton, but they went to the Cup final.
Liam Horrobin:
I&#8217;ll go with the Patrick Maroon trade. The Oilers traded Martin Gernat and a 4th round pick for Maroon, who scored 41 goals over two seasons. What the Oilers eventually traded him away for was terrible but I&#8217;ll choose to ignore that and focus on the positive.
Baggedmilk:
The Chris Pronger trade that brought him to Edmonton. That trade was a Kevin Lowe masterclass, and it&#8217;s a shame it didn&#8217;t work out because that deal was a monster win for the Oilers.
<figure id="attachment_131445" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-131445" style="width: 805px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class=" wp-image-131445" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/USATSI_20022412_168383996_lowres-1024x683.jpg" alt="Edmonton Oilers forward Derek Ryan, NYR Igor Shesterkin" width="805" height="537" srcset="https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/USATSI_20022412_168383996_lowres-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/USATSI_20022412_168383996_lowres-300x200.jpg 300w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/USATSI_20022412_168383996_lowres-768x512.jpg 768w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/USATSI_20022412_168383996_lowres.jpg 1101w" sizes="(max-width: 805px) 100vw, 805px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-131445" class="wp-caption-text">Feb 17, 2023; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin (31) makes a save on Edmonton Oilers forward Derek Ryan (10) during the shoot-out at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption></figure>
5) Tristan asks &#8211; Can I get everyone&#8217;s take on the Igor Shesterkin contract? It just seems like so much money for a goaltender, even if he is one of the best.
Jason Gregor:
Goalies contracts haven’t gone up since Carey Price signed his deal in the summer of 2017. The cap was $75m in 2017/2018. Price made 14% of the cap, and Shesterkin’s contract is now 13% of the cap. Shesterkin will not live up to that contract. He might for the first few years, but not long term and considering he makes $3m more than Hellebuyck, starting next year, and he’s only two years younger, at best he will give them fair value, but most likely he will not put up numbers to match his salary.
My concern in paying elite goalies, is that if they don’t have great numbers, we always hear about the quality of shots they face and how the system doesn’t allow success. You never hear that about high-paid forwards. No one says, “McDavid finished 15th in scoring because he didn’t have good wingers.”
Liam Horrobin:
I didn&#8217;t see a world in which the New York Rangers didn&#8217;t give him the bag. They pay everyone to stay in New York. Plus, you need to pay elite players and Igor Shesterkin is one of them. If the Oilers had Shesterkin and they didn&#8217;t pay him, I&#8217;d be pretty disappointed.
Baggedmilk:
What other option did they have? He&#8217;s one of the best goalies in the NHL, and would have gotten that money one way or another. It&#8217;s a lot of dough for a goaltender, but Shesterkin put himself in a position to earn it.
<h2>PRESENTED BY STAR MECHANICAL</h2>
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-146181" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Article-2-SME.png" alt="" width="728" height="404" srcset="https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Article-2-SME.png 728w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Article-2-SME-300x166.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 728px) 100vw, 728px" />
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Viktor Arvidsson Edmonton Oilers photoshop

Good morning, everyone, and a happy Monday to all of you. I've got a brand new mailbag ready to go after taking your questions and sending them to the crew for their take on whatever is on your mind. This week, we're discussing Stuart Skinner's rollercoaster start to the year, top six scoring, the Pacific Division, and much more. If you’ve got a question you’d like to ask, email it to me at <a class="text-accent" href="mailto:baggedmilk@oilersnation.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">baggedmilk@oilersnation.com</a> or on Twitter at <a class="text-accent" href="https://www.twitter.com/jsbmbaggedmilk" rel="noopener noreferrer">@jsbmbaggedmilk</a>, and I’ll get to you as soon as I can.



[caption id="attachment_165579" align="aligncenter" width="789"]<img class=" wp-image-165579" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/USATSI_24603529_168383996_lowres-1024x683.jpg" alt="Edmonton Oilers forward Viktor Arvidsson" width="789" height="526" /> Oct 27, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Edmonton Oilers left wing Viktor Arvidsson (33) handles the puck during the first period against the Detroit Red Wings at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brian Bradshaw Sevald-Imagn Images[/caption]

1) Dale asks - How concerned are you with <a href="https://publish.oilersnation.com/2024/12/05/is-anybody-else-worried-about-viktor-arvidsson/">Viktor Arvidsson's injury</a>? He hasn't played in nearly a month, and the updates don't seem to be getting any better.

Jason Gregor:

The good news is they aren’t missing him. The concern is how the injury was supposedly going to be a few days and now he’s missed 11 games. The secrecy around the injury is rather odd.

Liam Horrobin:

More and more concerned after every update. The most I've thought about, I think they believed we would be back within a week and things have just progressed so poorly. I don't think we'll see him until after Christmas.

Baggedmilk:

I'm worried about it. He was listed as day-to-day nearly a month ago, and it seems like every update we hear about him just gets worse.

[caption id="attachment_165346" align="aligncenter" width="855"]<img class=" wp-image-165346" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/USATSI_24885098-1024x689.jpg" alt="Edmonton Oilers celebrate goal" width="855" height="575" /> Nov 30, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Edmonton Oilers right wing Kasperi Kapanen (42) celebrates his goal with defenseman Evan Bouchard (2) and defenseman Mattias Ekholm (14) and center Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (93) in the first period against the Colorado Avalanche at Ball Arena.[/caption]

2) James in Peterborough asks - When the club's forward group is healthy, who do you think makes up the bottom six?

Jason Gregor:

I don’t know when that will be and who will be on the team or not. But if based on current players, I’d say J.Skinner, Henrique, Kapanen, Janmark, Brown and a new C. Perry will rotate in

Liam Horrobin:
<div>Skinner - Henrique - Kapanen</div>
<div>Brown - Janmark - Perry</div>
Baggedmilk:

Skinner - Henrique - Brown
Kapanen - Janmark - Perry

[caption id="attachment_165325" align="aligncenter" width="849"]<img class=" wp-image-165325" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/USATSI_24485864-1-1024x683.jpg" alt="Edmonton Oilers forward Jeff Skinner" width="849" height="566" /> Oct 13, 2024; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers forward Jeff Skinner (53) celebrates after scoring a goal during the first period against the Calgary Flames at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-Imagn Images[/caption]

3) Randeep asks - <a href="https://publish.oilersnation.com/2024/07/03/4-fun-facts-about-oilers-new-addition-jeff-skinner/">Jeff Skinner</a> seems to be in a strange spot with the Oilers since he's not getting any top six minutes but doesn't contribute anywhere else if he's not scoring. What do you believe is the best spot in <a href="https://oilersnation.com/combinations">the lineup</a> for him?

Jason Gregor:

On the third line as he has always been someone who can produce 5x5. He had a bit of a funk from game 7-20, but I feel the past few weeks he is playing better and now has three points in his last two games.

Liam Horrobin:

The best spot for him is on a line where he can focus on scoring goals and making plays with the puck, and not where has to get the puck. I don't think he works with McDavid or Draisaitl and that's fine. Allow him to throw on that third line and give the Oilers more depth.

Baggedmilk:

I wish he would get another look in the top-six to see if there's any chemistry with either McDavid or Draisaitl, but it seems like Knoblauch doesn't really trust him in one of those spots for whatever reason. Is he in the doghouse? Can he ever get out? Would we have been better off keeping Holloway instead? These are the things I'm thinking about.

[caption id="attachment_156209" align="aligncenter" width="829"]<img class=" wp-image-156209" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/USATSI_23596312-1024x683.jpg" alt="Edmonton OIlers Stanley Cup Finals Mattias Ekholm" width="829" height="553" /> Jun 21, 2024; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers defenseman Mattias Ekholm (14) controls the puck against Florida Panthers center Sam Bennett (9) during the first period in game six of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Place.[/caption]

4) Gregg asks - <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/the-oilers-have-traded-tyson-barrie-reid-schaefer-and-two-draft-picks-for-mattias-eklhom">The Mattias Ekholm trade</a> has worked out so very well for the Oilers and could be my favourite in team history. What Oilers trade comes to mind as the best move you can think of?

Jason Gregor:

Pronger for Brewer, Lynch, Woywitka. He only played one season in Edmonton, but they went to the Cup final.

Liam Horrobin:

I'll go with the Patrick Maroon trade. The Oilers traded Martin Gernat and a 4th round pick for Maroon, who scored 41 goals over two seasons. What the Oilers eventually traded him away for was terrible but I'll choose to ignore that and focus on the positive.

Baggedmilk:

The Chris Pronger trade that brought him to Edmonton. That trade was a Kevin Lowe masterclass, and it's a shame it didn't work out because that deal was a monster win for the Oilers.

[caption id="attachment_131445" align="aligncenter" width="805"]<img class=" wp-image-131445" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/USATSI_20022412_168383996_lowres-1024x683.jpg" alt="Edmonton Oilers forward Derek Ryan, NYR Igor Shesterkin" width="805" height="537" /> Feb 17, 2023; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin (31) makes a save on Edmonton Oilers forward Derek Ryan (10) during the shoot-out at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports[/caption]

5) Tristan asks - Can I get everyone's take on the Igor Shesterkin contract? It just seems like so much money for a goaltender, even if he is one of the best.

Jason Gregor:
Goalies contracts haven’t gone up since Carey Price signed his deal in the summer of 2017. The cap was $75m in 2017/2018. Price made 14% of the cap, and Shesterkin’s contract is now 13% of the cap. Shesterkin will not live up to that contract. He might for the first few years, but not long term and considering he makes $3m more than Hellebuyck, starting next year, and he’s only two years younger, at best he will give them fair value, but most likely he will not put up numbers to match his salary.
My concern in paying elite goalies, is that if they don’t have great numbers, we always hear about the quality of shots they face and how the system doesn’t allow success. You never hear that about high-paid forwards. No one says, “McDavid finished 15th in scoring because he didn’t have good wingers.”
Liam Horrobin:

I didn't see a world in which the New York Rangers didn't give him the bag. They pay everyone to stay in New York. Plus, you need to pay elite players and Igor Shesterkin is one of them. If the Oilers had Shesterkin and they didn't pay him, I'd be pretty disappointed.

Baggedmilk:

What other option did they have? He's one of the best goalies in the NHL, and would have gotten that money one way or another. It's a lot of dough for a goaltender, but Shesterkin put himself in a position to earn it.
<h2>PRESENTED BY STAR MECHANICAL</h2>
<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-146181" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Article-2-SME.png" alt="" width="728" height="404" />

Star Mechanical is one of Edmonton’s biggest locally owned and operated plumbing and heating businesses. They have been working within the community for over 20 years, and many of the homes built in Edmonton over the last two decades have had their plumbing and heating systems installed by Star Mechanical.  Visit them at <a href="http://starmechanical.ca/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://starmechanical.ca&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1707492487512000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2mVs3WUkp8iUCZ0kJRe9lJ">starmechanical.ca</a> to schedule an appointment and let them help keep your home running smoothly.

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