Oilers coach bluntly admits the problem with Jeff Skinner this season before Game 2 scratch
Photo credit: Perry Nelson - Imagn Images
Jeff Skinner had had a tough season with the Edmonton Oilers, and now Coach Knoblauch has bluntly said that the veteran sniper simply doesn't have a role on the team.
Earlier today, reports surfaced that Jeff Skinner and Josh Brown would both come out of the lineup in favour of Evander Kane and John Klingberg.
Jeff Skinner scratched after finally making playoff debut
Speaking to the media today, Coach Knoblauch directly said that Skinner fails to meet any necessary role on the team.
Well, its roles and responsibilities. We only need so many guys to be on the powerplay, to play top six, with skilled positions.
We need guys to be able to kill penalties. Jeff doesn't kill penalties. So there's nothing against Jeff's game the other night, it's just we're putting in Evander tonight. We had to take somebody out and everyone's got a role.
- Coach Knoblauch
We need guys to be able to kill penalties. Jeff doesn't kill penalties. So there's nothing against Jeff's game the other night, it's just we're putting in Evander tonight. We had to take somebody out and everyone's got a role.
- Coach Knoblauch
Coach Knoblauch arguably could've given Skinner an extended opportunity higher up in the lineup, but the fact is that he failed to trust the veteran sniper at any point through this year. Knoblauch's comments have to sting Jeff Jackson too, who made this signing.
Jeff Skinner guaranteed to leave Oilers after playoff scratch
It's got to be tough for the 32 year old veteran Skinner to hear the coach sees no role for him in the lineup.
Skinner was able to make his playoff debut after an NHL record 1078 career games, but may not get back in the lineup without an injury.
After a disappointing season in which he only scored 16 goals and 29 points in 72 games, Jeff Skinner is nearly guaranteed to leave the Oilers in free agency this offseason. In the end, it was a failed experiment and not a great use of $3M in cap space.
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 23 | 724 ANSWERS Oilers coach bluntly admits the problem with Jeff Skinner this season before Game 2 scratch Do you think Jeff Skinner should've been played more, or was he a bad fit? | ||
| Play him more | 523 | 72.2 % |
| He's got no role | 201 | 27.8 % |
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