Reports Shift on Jeff Skinner Waiving No Trade Clause for Edmonton Oilers
The Jeff Skinner experiment with the Edmonton Oilers hasn't been much of a success this season, but reports are surfacing that he won't accept a trade off the team easily.
Previously, former Oiler Jason Strudwick reported that Skinner may be open to waiving his no move clause for a fresh start elsewhere after being buried on the 4th line.
However, according to a new report from Kurt Leavins in the Edmonton Journal, Jeff Skinner isn't so open to a trade. The veteran forward would not waive his no trade clause unless things get much worse.
- Kurt Leavins
Last night Skinner played a decent game, and scored a beautiful skill goal to give himself two points in his last two games.
Coming off his first healthy scratch against the Anaheim Ducks, it looks like Skinner is motivated to prove his worth to this Oilers roster. Skinner still didn't get much opportunity, as his ice time has declined in the last three straight games down to only 9:22.
New Reports Suggest Jeff Skinner Less Inclined to Waive No Trade Clause for Fresh Start Off The Oilers
Part of Skinner's failures this season have to rest on Knoblauch, who has only played the veteran sniper in the top six for less than 60 minutes this entire season.
Still, Skinner seems to have the right attitude of plugging his head down and working harder to earn the coach's trust.
If he can prove to be an efficient scorer in bottom six minutes, then maybe he can be elevated in the lineup like Connor Brown has.
However, if the Oilers can't find a way to get more out of Skinner on the fourth line or moving him up in the lineup, a trade should be their best path forward. A contending team like Edmonton can't afford to spend $3M on a fourth line forward if they can help it.
Leavins mentioned that Skinner wouldn't accept a trade out of Edmonton without a firm push. Perhaps the Oilers continue to reduce his ice time, or continue to healthy scratch him, and the frustration grows to accepting a trade.
It's disappointing that Skinner hasn't been a good fit in Edmonton this year, but he still has time to recover his year. Surely he wants to stay on the Cup favourite team in the Oilers. If not, hopefully management can deal him to an ideal location for a fresh start.
