Important decisions will come for Jeff Skinner as the trade deadline approaches
The Edmonton Oilers' $3 million investment in forward Jeff Skinner has not played out as hoped at the beginning of the season.
As reported by Oilers Daily,, former GM of the Edmonton Oilers, Jeff Jackson, signed him and Jeff Skinner was expected to help the team's offense, but the move has not delivered the desired results.
The Edmonton Oilers are facing a tough decision on Jeff Skinner as the trade deadline is approaching
Frank Seravalli predicts the Oilers may try to push Skinner into waiving his no-movement clause which is allowing the team to move on from his contract.
I'm not saying it's going to be easy to move him, but to get rid of that extra $3 million, if possible, could just open up a whole other range of possibilities to maybe fill another forward position, or use it to get a bigger, more impact defenseman."
- Frank Seravalli, Daily Faceoff
Seravalli also said that the challenges of getting rid of Skinner's contract is that the Oilers may need to attach a little something to make a trade appealing to other teams.
However, the cap being raised next year could help the cost of losing an asset since the new additions, like defenseman John Klingberg, are already squeezing the Oilers' budget.
While some suggest that an extended time as a healthy scratch could help Skinner reconsider his place on the team, Seravalli said that Edmonton owes the veteran a fresh start elsewhere.
Skinner accepted less money and a no-move clause to join the team and forcing his hand might not reflect well on the organization.
With that, you gave him the full no-move as the incentive to get the deal done, and now, you can't go back on that and pressure him the other way, I don't think. I don't think it looks good for whatever you want to do in the future, even though many fans would like to see that happen now.
«I think, perhaps, an extended run as a healthy scratch might change some feelings.»
- Frank Seravalli Daily Faceoff
As Stan Bowman works to reshape the roster and make a playoff push, finding something to do with Skinner's situation will be important.
Clearing cap space could unlock opportunities to give even more strength to the Oilers' lineup for a playoff push, but it remains to be seen how the team will act in this delicate situation.
