Coach Knoblauch Makes Shocking Choice to Double Down on Jeff Skinner at Oilers Practice
Photo credit: Edmonton Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers made a very surprising decision yesterday by scratching veteran sniper Jeff Skinner, and by today's lines in practice, Skinner will be staying in the press box.
Coach Knoblauch made the questionable decision to scratch Jeff Skinner for the first time this season yesterday, and now it looks like he's doubling down.
According to Oilers insider Bob Stauffer, Jeff Skinner was the extra at today's practice and projects to be a scratch again when the Oilers play the Utah Hockey Club tomorrow.
The healthy scratch of Jeff Skinner was a long time coming considering how often he was bumped down the lineup and benched, but now it does appear that a trade could be imminent.
Jeff Skinner Projects to Be Healthy Scratch Once Again Against Utah Hockey Club
It's truly shocking how horribly the fit between Jeff Skinner and Edmonton has turned out, after many fans believed he could post a career year with the Oilers high octane offence.
In 35 games this season, Jeff Skinner has just 6 goals and 12 points and a brutal -11 on ice rating. What's worse is that the coach clearly doesn't trust him in the top six - Skinner has played less than 60:00 with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl all year.
Former Oiler Jason Strudwick has shared that he believes Skinner would waive his no-trade clause for more opportunity on another team.
The Oilers now need to clear his $3M of salary this season, and Skinner needs to salvage his year to get a new contract in free agency. It seems both sides are ready and willing to move on.
It wouldn't be right to bench Skinner for too long before exploring a new team for him in the trade market. If Knoblauch prefers him in the press box, a trade should be coming very soon.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 30 | 178 ANSWERS Coach Knoblauch Makes Shocking Choice to Double Down on Jeff Skinner at Oilers Practice Do you think the Oilers are right to be scratching Jeff Skinner? | ||
| Yes, he hasn't been good | 104 | 58.4 % |
| No, never got a fair chance | 74 | 41.6 % |
| List of polls | ||
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