Edmonton Oilers healthy scratch Jeff Skinner for 2nd straight game
Photo credit: Yard Barker
The Edmonton Oilers are gearing up for a thrilling showdown agaisnt the Los Angeles Kings tonight, but Jeff Skinner will not be participating. The disgruntled forward was healthy scratched last game against the Chicago Blackhawks, and will remain in the press box again tonight.
According to Liam McCormick of Oilers Daily, Jeff Skinner has been riding the fourth line all season and now has been healthy scratched multiple times.
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
- 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.
| 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 | ||
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