Oilers coach Knoblauch appears to have personal bias against veteran player
Photo credit: Imagn Images
Jeff Skinner hasn't been the best fit for the Edmonton Oilers, and after repeated decisions to scratch him over other struggling veterans, it's clear the Coach just isn't satisfied with Skinner as a player.
Coach Knoblauch has been challenged on his treatment of Jeff Skinner from the second month of the season onwards, and post trade deadline, it surely won't get better.
Jeff Skinner's level of play should warrant lineup spot, but Knoblauch disagrees
Jeff Skinner has now been scratched for three straight games, and Oilers fans are starting to really demand why he's not in the lineup - even planning to organize a chant to get him in the lineup.
Oilers fans aren't just demanding Skinner in the lineup for no reason, either. The first half of the season undoubtedly wasn't the best from the 32 year old career sniper, but since the New Year, he's found a new gear defensively and is among the team's most efficient scorers.
In 5v5 points per 60 minutes, Jeff Skinner currently ranks second on the team, only behind MVP candidate Leon Draisaitl. The advanced numbers and goal shares back his newfound success too.
Even Oilers analyst Allan Mitchell is banging the drum that something's awry with the Coach's decision making regarding Skinner.
Jeff Skinner didn't play last night, despite some effective scoring numbers over these last weeks.
Why isn't he playing? It's obviously a coaching decision and I learned a ton about stubborn coaches
The thing about being stubborn is you can do it, but you better be right. Knoblauch's decision to fade Skinner won't be a footnote in history if he wins. If Knoblauch loses, then he'll be questioned forever.
- Allan Mitchell
With Jeff Skinner out of the lineup in favour of other struggling veterans like Mattias Janmark, the Oilers are literally giving up goals in their favour. Coach Knoblauch is being stubborn and committing to a bias for lower-risk players with more defence, but it may be a costly mistake.
When players like Trent Frederic and Evander Kane return to the lineup, it seems like there's a near 0 chance Skinner would get back into any games outside of a number of injuries.
At the end of the day, Knoblauch has been a masterful lineup tinkerer in his time with the Oilers. The decision to keep Skinner out may pay off, but it only will with a Stanley Cup.
Why isn't he playing? It's obviously a coaching decision and I learned a ton about stubborn coaches
The thing about being stubborn is you can do it, but you better be right. Knoblauch's decision to fade Skinner won't be a footnote in history if he wins. If Knoblauch loses, then he'll be questioned forever.
- Allan Mitchell
With Jeff Skinner out of the lineup in favour of other struggling veterans like Mattias Janmark, the Oilers are literally giving up goals in their favour. Coach Knoblauch is being stubborn and committing to a bias for lower-risk players with more defence, but it may be a costly mistake.
When players like Trent Frederic and Evander Kane return to the lineup, it seems like there's a near 0 chance Skinner would get back into any games outside of a number of injuries.
At the end of the day, Knoblauch has been a masterful lineup tinkerer in his time with the Oilers. The decision to keep Skinner out may pay off, but it only will with a Stanley Cup.
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