Confirmed with Link: Jeff Skinner, $3M x 1 year

[Mr Positive]

Sorry if this has been said already, but anytime the PP struggles, I wonder if he gets looks in Nuge's spot. One more lethal pass option for Connor that defenders have to worry about.

With our new additions I also wonder if the 2nd unit gets a lot more time.

I wouldn't be surprised if there were more mixing on the top unit too

 

[Mr Positive]

Its why I think how he does as an Oiler will be one of the most interesting regular season stories to follow.

As other have said, Skinner scores goals really only 2 ways...knocking in garbage around the crease, and on the rush. His one timer doesn't exist, he doesn't excel taking shots off an organized PP or offensive zone cycle. Its off the rush or garbage truck.

With that said, can he keep up with McDavid or half of the other forwards? I think the reason he doesn't go deep into the defensive zone is he needs to already 'cheat' a bit to join the rush because he is so slow. And when I say he is slow, he's not average, or a little below average, he is SLOW, like one of the league's slowest straight line skaters.

If he cheats on defense hanging around the blue line, will he get chewed out for not helping in the D-zone? If he does go deep into the D-zone, he literally may not be able to keep up with the rush back the other way.

Like I said, its going to be interesting to watch.

Sounds like maybe what Skinner needs is for the team to be a better cycle team. That at least gives him time to set up in the zone.

And btw just like last year we needed to figure out zone defense, maybe this upcoming season we need to stop relying on the rush so much

 

[Dazed and Confused]

I know they're completely different players, but JSkinner highlights reminds me of Eberle with a zippier shot.

I think this is the closest comp for me too.
Ebs' playstyle, but with less vision/playmaking and a far better shot. He doesn't really support/hound the puck, but rather drifts into soft/dangerous spots, waiting for his teammates to get him the puck. Basically the polar antithesis of Arvidsson.

I'm curious to see how he fits in. Though I can't shake the feeling this is one of those where it's either amazing and he's pacing 40 goals, or he's on the 4th line.
Likely it'll be both a lot of both, with streaks of each throughout the year. A bit like the last few Januarys in Edmonton, where it's either -40 or -4, and little in between.


Though I think the lack of obvious fit is the point, as it looks like they're (finally) forecasting for guys (like Kane and/or Arvidsson) to miss time. Skinner'll be the piece that'll slide up when others go down.

This is the first time in god knows how long where the Oil actually have a proper contingency plan if an injury or two hit the top 6.

 

[McDoused]

Dude is pretty funny.

 

[Mr Positive]

Its why I think how he does as an Oiler will be one of the most interesting regular season stories to follow.

As other have said, Skinner scores goals really only 2 ways...knocking in garbage around the crease, and on the rush. His one timer doesn't exist, he doesn't excel taking shots off an organized PP or offensive zone cycle. Its off the rush or garbage truck.

With that said, can he keep up with McDavid or half of the other forwards? I think the reason he doesn't go deep into the defensive zone is he needs to already 'cheat' a bit to join the rush because he is so slow. And when I say he is slow, he's not average, or a little below average, he is SLOW, like one of the league's slowest straight line skaters.

If he cheats on defense hanging around the blue line, will he get chewed out for not helping in the D-zone? If he does go deep into the D-zone, he literally may not be able to keep up with the rush back the other way.

Like I said, its going to be interesting to watch.

If Skinner sacrifices offense for defense, he will still score a ton playing on this team. That's how I see this playing out. Skinner will re invent himself here

 

[OfCorsiDid]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1818728596741206236

First initials on the namebar are back on the menu!

 

[JarvisFunk]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1818728596741206236

First initials on the namebar are back on the menu!

Glad they added his initial. I'd surely mix up the two Skinners all the time

 

[Fourier]

Glad they added his initial. I'd surely mix up the two Skinners all the time

One has a mustache!

 

[Tobias Kahun]

Glad they added his initial. I'd surely mix up the two Skinners all the time

Kevin Quinn would.

 

[Bring Back Bucky]

With our new additions I also wonder if the 2nd unit gets a lot more time.

I wouldn't be surprised if there were more mixing on the top unit too

I kind of hope so. Having more options and being able to roll two potent units would be a plus. Along with greater depth in the bottom six it would be nice to see less wear and tear on the elites.

 

[PositiveCashFlow]

Will the other one be "S. Skinner"?

Glad no one took 15

Why would Carrick go from 39 to 58 unless it's a different Carrick EDIT it's a different Carrick

 

[Bryanbryoil]

This is a player that I have all kinds of time for. He has been scrappy, all over it in the offensive zone, surprisingly hard working on the defensive side of the puck and has overall been one of our better players to start the season.

 

[Stoneman89]

This is a player that I have all kinds of time for. He has been scrappy, all over it in the offensive zone, surprisingly hard working on the defensive side of the puck and has overall been one of our better players to start the season.

But how bitterly ironic would it be for him to come to a team that went to the finals last year, and miss the playoffs again this year.

 

[Senor Catface]

But how bitterly ironic would it be for him to come to a team that went to the finals last year, and miss the playoffs again this year.

Why, are we trading him to Calgary?

 

[Stoneman89]

Why, are we trading him to Calgary?

Pretty sure the Flamers never made it to the finals last year, but good one.

 

[Senor Catface]

Pretty sure the Flamers never made it to the finals last year, but good one.

It still works if we trade him to Calgary!

I'll stand by this logic.

 

[Bryanbryoil]

He is starting to look like the player that we were expecting when we signed him. His defensive work has been impressive the last handful of games. He should get a lengthy run on Drai's wing since Podkolzin hasn't pissed a drop offensively for awhile. Skinner's ability to score at ES needs to be maximized on our team.

 

[Perfect_Drug]

He is starting to look like the player that we were expecting when we signed him. His defensive work has been impressive the last handful of games. He should get a lengthy run on Drai's wing since Podkolzin hasn't pissed a drop offensively for awhile. Skinner's ability to score at ES needs to be maximized on our team.

It's crazy to think he's been a healthy scratch, and in the coaches doghouse for 50+ games playing on our 4th line, and he's still 5th on our team in goals with an outside shot at getting to 20.


Reminds me so much of Petr Klima.

 

[Arpeggio]

It's crazy to think he's been a healthy scratch, and in the coaches doghouse for 50+ games playing on our 4th line, and he's still 5th on our team in goals with an outside shot at getting to 20.


Reminds me so much of Petr Klima.

I'd go as far as saying that if he plays in the top six the rest of the way, he probably will hit 20.

Really, he's been fine. And if working up through the lineup has improved his defensive game at all, maybe he'll come through in the playoffs.

 

[Bryanbryoil]

I'd go as far as saying that if he plays in the top six the rest of the way, he probably will hit 20.

Really, he's been fine. And if working up through the lineup has improved his defensive game at all, maybe he'll come through in the playoffs.

His defensive play has been very noticeable lately. If he keeps it up and produces he better stay in the top 6.

 

[Fourier]

I have a soft spot for Skinner based on his two years here in Kitchener. As an aside he had a great playoff in 2010. The Rangers had Taylor Hall's Spits on the ropes. Skinner also lead the OHL in goals that year with 50 ahead of both Hall and Seguin.

 

[Frank the Tank]

He is starting to look like the player that we were expecting when we signed him. His defensive work has been impressive the last handful of games. He should get a lengthy run on Drai's wing since Podkolzin hasn't pissed a drop offensively for awhile. Skinner's ability to score at ES needs to be maximized on our team.

The coaching staff has convinced Skinner to eliminate the early season toe drags and not committing to board battles in exchange for playing the Oilers possession, quick passes, and offensive zone cycling style of play. The improved effort on backchecking has also been a pleasant change. If he can keep that level of effort up and keep getting to the net when playing with Draisaitl, the Oilers may have an effective top-6 winger that can be trusted in tight playoff games.

 

[guymez]

The coaching staff has convinced Skinner to eliminate the early season toe drags and not committing to board battles in exchange for playing the Oilers possession, quick passes, and offensive zone cycling style of play. The improved effort on backchecking has also been a pleasant change. If he can keep that level of effort up and keep getting to the net when playing with Draisaitl, the Oilers may have an effective top-6 winger that can be trusted in tight playoff games.

Maybe.
His speed appears to be a bit of an iussue as well (which surprised me) although maybe that is more about effort.
Not sure.

Originally (even though he was a bit of an odd signing) I thought we were getting the Sniper from a few years ago who wasnt all that defensively responsible.
Thats clearly not the case (he misses more grade A opportunies than a sniper should) but if he can start to pot these gift setups and play like he cares (plays a 200 ft game) there may be a place for him.
Perhaps he just needs to pot a few to regain his confidence around the net.

I am not at all convinced by 2 weeks of play but if he can keep this up...continued defensive commitment and potting the gift goals Drai will feed him....then all the more power to him.

I want this team to succeed and if Skinner can make himself part of the solution then I'll be very happy.

 

[Frank the Tank]

Maybe.
His speed appears to be a bit of an iussue as well (which surprised me) although maybe that is more about effort.
Not sure.

Originally (even though he was a bit of an odd signing) I thought we were getting the Sniper from a few years ago who wasnt all that defensively responsible.
Thats clearly not the case (he misses more grade A opportunies than a sniper should) but if he can start to pot these gift setups and play like he cares (plays a 200 ft game) there may be a place for him.
Perhaps he just needs to pot a few to regain his confidence around the net.

I am not at all convinced by 2 weeks of play but if he can keep this up...continued defensive commitment and potting the gift goals Drai will feed him....then all the more power to him.

I want this team to succeed and if Skinner can make himself part of the solution then I'll be very happy.

Draisaitl was in Skinner's ear at every commercial break when they waited on the ice for the puck drop and on the bench after their shifts. There seemed to be a concerted effort to maintain this version of the player and help him succeed when playing with Draisaitl.

 

[guymez]

Draisaitl was in Skinner's ear at every commercial break when they waited on the ice for the puck drop and on the bench after their shifts. There seemed to be a concerted effort to maintain this version of the player and help him succeed when playing with Draisaitl.

I didnt notice Draisaitl doing that...good catch.

Just so I am clear...I am not one of those posters who cheers for a player to fail because they dont like the player.
I want this team to win the SC so I sincerely hope Skinner knocks it out of the park for the rest of the season and playoffs.

EDIT: Having said that I am still pissed that the team passed on the player they invested in (Holloway) and signed Skinner at $3M instead but I'll get over it eventually.