Jeff Skinner gets massive demotion right before game

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Patrick Frost
November 12, 2024 (11:04 PM)

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The Edmonton Oilers are still looking for depth players to step up to the plate, and one player in particular has been called out by Kris Knoblauch in a massive way.

The Edmonton Oilers are looking to keep the momentum going tonight after laying a beat down 7-3 beatdown on the Vancouver Canucks last Saturday.

Initially, Kris Knoblauch had that same roster going up against the Islanders tonight, but in a sudden twist of events, Kris Knoblauch demoted Jeff Skinner to the 4th line -- clearly intending to send a big message to the struggling forward.

According to Liam McCormick of Oilers Daily, Jeff Skinner not even being given the third line assignment is a big indictment that the coaching staff isn't happy with his play. Skinner came to Edmonton and there was high hopes he could have a career year, but the scoring isn't there right now. In his last ten games, Skinner only has 1 goal and 2 points.

Jeff Skinner is 32 years old and a veteran of over 1000 NHL games, and hasn't scored less than 24 goals in a full season since 2014. He's only two years removed from 35 goals and 82 points with the Buffalo Sabres. Skinner has even looked good at times, but just hasn't had the goals fall for him.
-Oilers Daily

On a recent segment of Oilers Now with Bob Stauffer, the hockey pundit mentioned that Jeff Skinner could potentially be on the trade block -- which is somewhat confusing because of Skinner's NVC.

Regardless, Jeff Skinner must make every effort to get his game back on track -- and fast. When Evander Kane comes back to the lineup in early 2025, Skinner might find himself stuck on the Oilers bottom 6.