Jeff Skinner hasn't been as snug a fit on the Edmonton Oilers as initially thought, but he did earn praise recently.

Jeff Skinner’s tenure with the Edmonton Oilers has not gone as expected.

The veteran right winger was meant to be a top-six goal-scorer but hasn't achieved those results. He is starting to find new ways to contribute but is not getting many opportunities. 

How can he benefit the Oilers as they try to jump that last hurdle and win the Stanley Cup?

Skinner Hasn't Been What The Oilers Thought He Would Be

After signing Skinner on July 1, 2024, to upgrade the scoring department, the Oilers let Warren Foegele walk to the Los Angeles Kings and Dylan Holloway sign an offer sheet with the St. Louis Blues. 

Skinner was seen as a clear upgrade at a value price of $3 million thanks to a resume that suggested he'd fit in seamlessly with Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl. 

Instead, Skinner has struggled to find his footing this season. He has 10 goals and 19 points in 48 games and has been a healthy scratch for six games. He has given some depth scoring but is not the 30-goal guy the Oilers hoped they were getting. 

His style of play hasn't necessarily meshed with the top stars, and his signing has been scrutinized, especially given the Oilers’ salary cap constraints. 

Meanwhile, Holloway has thrived in St. Louis. His 39 points are more than double Skinner's total, while Holloway's 16 goals are also more.

The patterns in his playing time and how often he's sat after having what appear to be solid games make it seem like there's no winning for the veteran winger. He's not complained, and he has quietly improved defensively, but he's averaging 12:30 per game this season, and his offensive production remains underwhelming. 

In late December, Knoblauch said that Skinner needs to “play good hockey,” but it remains unclear if he will be given the perfect opportunity to do that.

The situation is further complicated by Skinner’s contract, which includes a full no-movement clause. There's no freeing his cap hit with a trade unless Skinner wants out. Nothing's suggested that's the case.

Skinner has never played a playoff game in his lengthy career. He'll get the chance for the first time, and it would take a lot to convince him to leave a Stanley Cup contender. Benching him until he agrees to a trade would be a poor look for the organization.

The best the Oilers can hope is that Skinner continues to play better hockey and improve in all facets of the game. From there, the hope is that the coach believes Skinner can carve out a role, whether in a top-six capacity or as a depth contributor.

Skinner has acknowledged the need to improve, but he honestly hasn't been that bad. The fit just hasn't been there for long enough. 

How Has Skinner Adjusted?

Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch gave Skinner credit for his improved play lately, including defensively, which has been a weakness before.

"Jeff's been playing really well," Knoblauch told reporters after Wednesday's 4-3 overtime win over the Chicago Blackhawks. "His details have been good, he's been checking hard, he's been getting in the forecheck, he's been in the right position defensively."

Knoblauch also said Skinner's played well in the last couple of weeks. He has three goals in his last five games, including one goal and an assist against Chicago. His 15:27 of ice time was the most he's received since Dec. 3.

The good news is that there's still time this season for Skinner to up his production, and if he doesn't, this was a one-year deal the Oilers can walk away from this summer. 

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