Edmonton Oilers healthy scratch Jeff Skinner for 2nd straight game
Photo credit: Yard Barker
Oilers insider Kurt Leavins believes that Skinner may not accept a trade off the cup contending team without a firm push for management. Repeated scratches in big games could be that push.
» No, the Skinner experiment in Edmonton has not gone well. But I do not expect a proud vet without a single playoff game to surrender his spot in the lineup of this team without a firm push.
- Kurt Leavins
The problem is that as offensively gifted as Skinner is, he struggles defensively, which makes him a difficult option to trust and could be why Knoblauch hasn't utilized him. His plus/minus of minus-11 is the worst on the team, with Ryan and Kapanen's minus-6 being the closest.
Skinner also isn't the fleetest of foot. In a game that seems to get faster each season, it might have caught up to him this season and could be preventing him from generating more scoring opportunities.
Now, GM Stan Bowman has a tough decision to make heading into the trade deadline.
While Jeff Skinner has a full NMC in his contract, Bowman could be in a position to ask Skinner to waive it.
As it stands, Skinner is making no progress with head coach Kris Knoblauch, and a change of scenery might be beneficial for both parties.
Previously on Oilers Central
POLL |
JANVIER 13 | 271 ANSWERS Edmonton Oilers healthy scratch Jeff Skinner for 2nd straight game Do you think Jeff Skinner will move his NTC? |
Yes | 189 | 69.7 % |
No | 82 | 30.3 % |
List of polls |
|
7 hours ago | By Patrick Frost Jeff Skinner not expected to waive NYC |
|
16 hours ago | By Will Austin An American player just came out publicly to support the booing from Canadians fans |
|
16 hours ago | By Will Austin Star goaltender is linked with the Edmonton Oilers for a trade |
|
17 hours ago | By Will Austin Another center has been linked for a trade with the Edmonton Oilers |
|
18 hours ago | By Will Austin Brad Marchand chirped the two best players of Team Canada after the win against Sweden |
|
18 hours ago | By Patrick Frost Preview: Team Canada drops projected lineup against Team USA |
|
20 hours ago | By Will Austin Stan Bowman has two trade target from the Eastern Conference of the NHL ahead of trade deadline |
|
20 hours ago | By Will Austin Big blueliner from the Boston Bruins could be the perfect trade target for the Edmonton Oilers |