Former Edmonton Oilers’ defenseman and co-host Jason Strudwick of the Got Yer’ Back podcast dropped an interesting take during Tuesday night’s episode of the show. Saying he thinks the Edmonton Oilers will eventually have a conversation with forward Jeff Skinner about a trade, he doesn’t see the two ending this season together. Arguing that there’s no spot on the roster for Skinner, especially as he continually gets bumped down the lineup and players return from injury, the two sides might realize Skinner in Edmonton just isn’t a fit.
Skinner was brought in over the summer as a free agent that was expected to fit seamlessly into the Oilers’ top six. Unfortunately, things haven’t gone as well as both sides would have hoped. Skinner has six goals and 12 points in 31 games. He’s on pace for 15 goals, and that’s a far cry from where the Oilers had to think he would be.
What’s most concerning is that Skinner keeps losing his spot as players like Kasperi Kapanen and Vasily Podkolzin play well and bring more to the lineup. Skinner seems to struggle to adapt his game to the way Edmonton needs him to play. Brown said Skinner likes to create his own chances and he’s trying to do too much. Unlike in Buffalo, where he needed to play that way, in Edmonton, Skinner can make simple plays and get the puck to the elite stars on the roster.
Strudwick pointed out that Skinner was bumped in practice as Viktor Arvidsson skated with the team at practice. “The fact that Skinner was pushed down, I think, is a real bad sign for him.” Podkolzin and Kapanen are getting the nod from Leon Draisaitl, and he seems to be choosing them over Skinner. Rob Brown agreed that it’s not a good sign for Skinner.
Is a Conversation Between the Oilers and Skinner Inevitable?
Strudwick seems to think that there is going to be a talk between the Oilers and Skinner. “I believe there’s going to be a mutual agreement to say guys, this just isn’t working out.” Strudwick said Skinner is a good player, but his style just might not fit with the team. “Let’s find a solution where we’re going to get the chance to move you to someplace you can play and play more. He’s not a fourth-liner.”
The Oilers know that Connor McDavid and Draisaitl need the puck. If Skinner can’t find chemistry with them, both sides need to move on. Strudwick admitted that there is a higher upside with Skinner, but it’s not showing itself.
This article first appeared on NHL Trade Talk and was syndicated with permission.
