This in from Bob Stauffer of the Oilers radio network, the lines from today’s Edmonton Oilers practice that show Jeff Skinner has yet again been bumped down the line-up:
Podkolzin-Draisaitl-Arvidsson
Hyman-Henrique-Perry
Janmark-RNH-Brown
J. Skinner-Philp-Kapanen
(McDavid)
Ekholm-Bouchard
Nurse-Stecher
Kulak-Emberson
Klingberg
S. Skinner
Pickard
My take
1. There’s no fair in the NHL, there’s only making the most of your opportunities as defined by the coaching staff. So far, Skinner hasn’t done enough to impress Kris Knoblauch and his fellow coaches to cement himself into a Top 6 job.
That said, I found this particular demotion a bit jarring today as Skinner had a good game against the Washington Capitals, chipping in on three Grade A shots at even strength, while keeping a clean sheet on defence, with not one major mistake on a Grade A shot against. He did so playing on a line with Adam Henrique and Zach Hyman, essentially the team’s second line with Connor McDavid suspended.
2. On the one hand, Skinner has been OK on the attack. In fact, in 5-on-5 play, getting limited time with top centres Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid, Skinner has the fifth highest rate of points per 60. Compare that to Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, who plays steadily on the top line with McDavid. He’s got the lowest points per 60 rate, just 0.98 per 60 compared to Skinner’s 1.61. Skinner ranks 188th out of 409 regular NHL forwards for even strength scoring, with RNH ranking 346.
3. At the same time, Skinner’s defensive play has been lacking this year. His rate of major mistakes on Grade A shots against is the highest of any Oilers winger at even strength.
4. Skinner is also not much of a hitter. On the attack, his main strength is as a shooter, but the team seemingly has enough of those on the top two lines with McDavid, Draisaitl, Viktor Arvidsson, and net-front attack Zach Hyman, who can all rip a great shot.
5. Corey Perry bumped Skinner off the second line with Henrique and Hyman. Perry also scored a great goal against Washington, hammering in a harpoon off a Draisaitl pass. Perry has also outplayed Skinner this year when it comes to two-way hockey at even strength. And Perry is also a more physical player, with the Canucks being something of a physical team.
Perhaps the change is a simple line-up adjustment to create the best fit against a particular opponent. This doesn’t make it any easier for Skinner, but he’s had a good attitude so far, he hustles every time he’s on the ice, and it’s still not too late for his time to come with the Oilers.
At the Cult of Hockey
STAPLES: Game grades in loss to Washington
Staples on politics
