Oilers trade talks surrounding Jeff Skinner updated by NHL insider
It's safe to say that the first half of this NHL season has been a complete flop for Oilers forward Jeff Skinner as the excitement of the summer signing is long gone, but the team could still benefit now by clearing his $3M.
After becoming a buyout candidate with the Buffalo Sabres, Skinner managed to sign a one year deal worth $3,000,000 with the Oilers from former interim general manager Jeff Jackson. Jackson felt that bringing Skinner into the fold would help augment their offense.
Frank Seravalli predicts Oilers making life tough for Skinner
In their latest episode of Oilersnation Everyday, Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli predicted that the Edmonton Oilers organization will make life uncomfortable for Skinner which could cause him to lift his no movement clause.
I'm not saying it's going to be easy to move him, but to get rid of that extra $3-million bucks, if possible, could just open up a whole other range of possibilities to maybe fill another forward position, or use it to get a bigger, more impact defenceman.
- Frank Seravalli, Daily Faceoff
If the Oilers can clear Skinner's full $3M in salary, that would greatly help their trade deadline by allowing them to spend far more in trades.
Seravalli also expressed that the Oilers will do everything possible to open some cap space and give the team much needed flexibility as they would like to add to their roster as the season wears on and the March trade deadline approaches. He feels the Oilers will try to persuade Skinner to move.
Oilers owe better for Jeff Skinner after contract negotiations
Seravalli hinted that the Oilers may have to attach an extra asset to get another team to take on the full $3M for them, but that cap space is far more valuable than a player in the press box.
He also said that the Oilers deserve to give Skinner a fresh start in a better environment after the veteran forward took a leap with them in free agency. It's not right to stuff in the press box too long without a trade.
With that, you gave him the full no-move as the incentive to get the deal done, and now, you can't go back on that and pressure him the other way, I don't think. I don't think it looks good for whatever you want to do in the future, even though many fans would like to see that happen now.
«I think, perhaps, an extended run as a healthy scratch might change some feelings.» - Frank Seravalli Daily Faceoff
With newly acquired defenseman John Klingberg who earned a one-year contract holding a $1.75 million value, the Oilers will need to make some more moves and many feel that general manager Stan Bowman will do all he can to move off of Jeff Skinner and try to augment his forward lines.
Source: Oilersnation
Will the Oilers consider trading Jeff Skinner?
