Jeff Skinner reveals surprising former Oiler pitched him on signing in Edmonton
Photo credit: Sabres Noise
The Edmonton Oilers had an incredible free agency period, and one of their most exciting signings is the veteran forward Jeff Skinner.
After being bought out of a $9.25M contract with the Buffalo Sabres, the Oilers signed Skinner to a great value contract of only $3M for one season. It's rare to see a big-ticket player like Skinner sign a one year deal with Edmonton, but it's clearly become a destination city in the NHL. Jeff Skinner revealed that Ryan Strome helped sell him on the idea of signing with the Oilers.
»So, actually one of my good friends is Ryan Strome and he spent some time in Edmonton and had nothing but good things to say. He knows a lot of the guys there. I think you reach out to different people you know, and you trust, and all I heard were good things and I'm really excited and happy that Edmonton gave me the opportunity. I actually played minor hockey with Zach Hyman so it will be fun to play with him again.»
In a recent one on one interview with Jason Gregor, Skinner detailed many other things about the process of joining the Oilers, how he'll fit into the team, and likely playing his first playoff games in his 1000+ game career.
Skinner sees himself reading off the lead of either McDavid or Draisaitl, whichever centre he plays with, and is looking to bring his scoring touch to an already elite offence. Skinner hadn't been watching much of the NHL playoffs, but dialled into watch the Oilers almost complete a Herculean comeback in the Finals. After seeing an effort like that on the biggest stage, he'll certainly be excited to join the group.
I saw the finals for sure, but the first couple of rounds, I wasn't watching as closely. And then as the rounds move along, I spend my off seasons in Toronto, so you can't really get away from it even if you try, but I certainly watched the final.
I saw the incredible run they went on, and I'm sure there's a ton of lessons and experience that they've learned through that.
I saw the incredible run they went on, and I'm sure there's a ton of lessons and experience that they've learned through that.
One a one year contract for bargain value, Jeff Skinner's offensive production could elevate the Oilers to new heights this year if he plays to his potential. For the first time in his Oilers tenure, Leon Draisaitl will have an elite talent to play with on the second line, making the forward group that much deeper.
Source: OilersNation
Skinner speaks on signing with Edmonton
| POLL | ||
11 JUILLET | 218 ANSWERS Jeff Skinner reveals surprising former Oiler pitched him on signing in Edmonton Do you think Skinner will score 30 goals with the Oilers this year? | ||
| Yes, Skinner scores 30 or more | 156 | 71.6 % |
| No, Skinner scores less than 30 | 58 | 26.6 % |
| See Results | 4 | 1.8 % |
| List of polls | ||
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