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Coach Knoblauch called out for puzzling decision with Oilers veteran forward
Photo credit: Edmonton Oilers Raw
Jeff Skinner has begun to turn his season around in the last two months, but even after a strong game yesterday, Coach Knoblauch is scratching the veteran forward.
This year hasn't gone well for Skinner, as he's found himself on the fourth line and scratched repeatedly. Still, Skinner has said he's not interested in waiving his no-move clause for a trade off the Oilers.
Coach Knoblauch called out for questionable decision to scratch Jeff Skinner
In today's lineup to face the Tampa Bay Lightning, coach Knoblauch is scratching Jeff Skinner again. This time, it's hard to find any justification for it.
Skinner is being replaced by Mattias Janmark, who does bring an important role on the penalty kill and has success in the playoffs. Janmark also has only 6 goals in the last two seasons - he's a complete black hole offensively.
Jeff Skinner only has 11 goals and 21 points in 51 games, but he's played 4th line minutes and almost no powerplay time. Even last game, he showed his offensive instincts with a nice goal.
When breaking down his production per minute, Skinner has been one of the best Oilers forwards lately - only behind McDavid and Draisaitl.
Jeff Skinner ranks 3rd on the team in 5v5 goals and points per hour, only behind 97/29. He has significantly improved defensively with a 69 GF% and 57 xG% since the start of January.
While Jeff Skinner has taken noticeable strides to become better defensively and still produces in limited minutes, other Oilers forwards haven't been nearly as impactful, and don't deserve to play above him.
Viktor Arvidsson in particular has struggled all season leading to trade speculation, and instead got a promotion to the first line.
Perhaps that's a showcase for Arvidsson to help a trade, because at face value, it doesn't make much sense.
Jeff Skinner has begun to improve his game significantly over the last few weeks, and if he isn't going to waive his no-move clause, he'll be here in the playoffs.
Coach Knoblauch should start finding a way to better utilize him, because healthy scratching him over worse players isn't the right message to the group.
| POLL | ||
FEVRIER 25 | 1007 ANSWERS Coach Knoblauch called out for puzzling decision with Oilers veteran forward Do you think the Oilers will find a way to trade Jeff Skinner? | ||
| Yes, he'll waive his no move | 572 | 56.8 % |
| No, he's staying | 435 | 43.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
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