Edmonton Oilers’ forward Jeff Skinner is not going down without a fight. Since being made a healthy scratch versus the Anaheim Ducks last week, the veteran forward has responded. Showing he has no intention of giving up his spot without a push, in limited minutes, he’s producing, having posted a goal and an assist in his last two games. This is despite only averaging around 9:20 per game.
Skinner is aware that his fit in Edmonton this season hasn’t been what the team hoped when they signed him to a free-agency contract this past summer. Joining the club on a one-year, $3 million deal, the plan was that his past as a 30-goal scorer would help the Oilers answer serious questions in their top six. Instead, he’s been stuck in a depth role he’s not necessarily suited for.
All that said, he’s not complaining, and he’s doing his best despite a tricky situation.
It’s not that Skinner is a bad player. It’s more than the Oilers are trying to fit a skilled square peg into a grittier round hole.
Skinner Has No Plans to Leave the Oilers
Because of the less-than-ideal fit, trade speculation has popped up. The only issue is that he’s got a full no-move clause in his contract. Despite a long NHL career, Skinner has never played in the playoffs and his decision to join the Oilers was made, in part, to finally see postseason action.
Kurt Leavins of the Edmonton Journal noted in his 9 Things post on Sunday that the Oilers aren’t likely to convince him to give up his opportunity to finally get what he’s been striving for.
Leavins writes:
“Much ink has been spilled over what Jeff Skinner is not. … No, the Skinner experiment in Edmonton has not gone well. But I do not expect a proud vet without a single playoff game to surrender his spot in the lineup of this team without a firm push. Interesting to see him get a shift with McDavid and Draisaitl late in Saturday’s game. Let us see what develops…”
Is Skinner starting to show people they were too quick to judge him? He’s got seven goals on the season. That’s good for fifth on the team. And, he’s scored those seven goals without barely a lick of top-six minutes. He got a taste on Saturday. If he gets a bit more, can he make the most of it and show he’s not someone the Oilers should look to move?
They’d have to make things ugly to get him to go. It would be much better for everyone if he starts scoring as originally intended.
Next: Podkolzin, Skinner Key as Oilers Earn 4-2 Win Over Kraken
