Oilers Coach Knoblauch Gives Blunt Assessment of Jeff Skinner Amid Trade Rumours
Oilers veteran forward Jeff Skinner has been riding the bench consistently in the last few weeks, and after last night's game, Knoblauch directly addressed his struggles.
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins missed last night's game with illness, but Jeff Skinner still played on the fourth line, and less than 12 minutes.
When asked directly what Skinner has to do to earn more ice time and opportunity up the lineup, Knoblauch said he needs to play well, and that a chance may come later this season.
KNOBLAUCH: Play good hockey. I look at our team, and who is he elevating? We got a lot of guys who are playing really well right now Tonight, I thought, was a good game from him.
The fourth line played well last night, but through this season has been lacking an identity and serving a purpose for this team. Oilers insider Bob Stauffer thinks the team will address this with a forward trade.
Oilers Coach at Ends with Jeff Skinner, Trade Seeming More Likely
When the Oilers signed Skinner, a veteran scorer with 363 career goals, fans thought he could have a resurgence of production to flirt with 40 goals. To see him buried on the fourth line is a let down.
Skinner never really had an extended look in the top six, and now has just 6 goals and 12 points in 34 games, along with a brutal -10 on ice rating.
On the fourth line Skinner is getting exposed for defensive mistakes, and not being given the offensive opportunities to make a player like him worth it.
It simply hasn't worked out between Jeff Skinner and the Oilers, and it seems a move will be made in the interest of both parties. The Oilers clear his $3M salary, and he gets a fresh chance elsewhere, on another contender.
Hopefully the Oilers can at least get an asset back for the veteran sniper, but even clearing his salary may just be the best for the team at this point.
