Previous Push to Move Struggling Oiler Becoming Obvious Shove

On January 5, in an article about Jeff Skinner‘s future with the Edmonton Oilers, I cited comments from Kurt Leavins of the Edmonton Journal, who wrote, “Much ink has been spilled over what Jeff Skinner is not.” He added, “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.” That push has become a pretty obvious shove.

As hinted by Ryan Rishaug, Rob Brown, and Jason Strudwick of the Got Yer’ Back podcast, the fact that Skinner has been made a healthy scratch for three straight games has to be an indication the Oilers are trying to send a message.

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Are the Oilers Telling Skinner He’s Got No Spot on This Team?

As the NHL Trade Deadline nears, the Oilers are going to be facing some tough decisions. They need to test who inside their system can fill holes. They’ll be exploring the UFA market with guys like John Klingberg. The Oilers will be calling teams about possible trades. Nowhere in that mix appears to be Jeff Skinner.

Regardless of the moves Edmonton makes and the roster head coach Kris Knoblauch ices, Skinner seems to be working his way down the roster, not up it. When asked if the conversations between Skinner, his agent and the team might already be happening, Strudwick responded, “I think there’s going to be a divorce here.” Noting that it’s not just about winning, it’s about playing and working towards a contract for next season. “I would think that there has to be something going on with the agent.”

Rob Brown noted that everyone is playing in front of Skinner and he’s been benched for almost everyone. He knows, “If the Oilers started the playoffs tomorrow, he’s not in the lineup.” Brown said Skinner has to feel like he’s not a part of the team and could score and be productive elsewhere.

“That’s the exact reason they’re scratching him, so he waives his no-movement clause,” Rishaug said when he read a comment from a viewer.

Skinner Pegged the Biggest Disappointment of the Season

Greg Wyshynski of ESPN wrote that Skinner has been the biggest disappointment of the NHL season. He explained:

“The 32-year-old winger was a heralded value signing for the Oil after getting a buyout in Buffalo. Three years removed from a 35-goal season, fans were salivating at the idea of him potting pucks with Draisaitl and Connor McDavid. Alas, he hasn’t earned that time with them: Skinner has seven goals and eight assists in 40 games, skating 12:36 per game while having been a healthy scratch on occasion. He’s been a defensive liability, and he’s deep in the negative in goals scored above replacement. Probably not a great sign when your offensive free agent coup has one point more than Corey Perry halfway through the season.”

If Skinner doesn’t play in the second game of a back-to-back versus the Colorado Avalanche, it will be crystal clear what the Oilers are doing. Even if he does play and gets limited minutes, it’s become obvious the team is looking to pressure him to open up options to move on.

Next: Ex-Oiler Talks Massive Risk in Klingberg Signing, Hints at 2nd Move