Coach Knoblauch called out for puzzling decision with Oilers veteran forward

Skinner is being replaced by Mattias Janmark, who does bring an important role on the penalty kill and has success in the playoffs. Janmark also has only 6 goals in the last two seasons - he's a complete black hole offensively.

Jeff Skinner only has 11 goals and 21 points in 51 games, but he's played 4th line minutes and almost no powerplay time. Even last game, he showed his offensive instincts with a nice goal.

When breaking down his production per minute, Skinner has been one of the best Oilers forwards lately - only behind McDavid and Draisaitl.

Jeff Skinner ranks 3rd on the team in 5v5 goals and points per hour, only behind 97/29. He has significantly improved defensively with a 69 GF% and 57 xG% since the start of January.

While Jeff Skinner has taken noticeable strides to become better defensively and still produces in limited minutes, other Oilers forwards haven't been nearly as impactful, and don't deserve to play above him.

Viktor Arvidsson in particular has struggled all season leading to trade speculation, and instead got a promotion to the first line.

Perhaps that's a showcase for Arvidsson to help a trade, because at face value, it doesn't make much sense.

Jeff Skinner has begun to improve his game significantly over the last few weeks, and if he isn't going to waive his no-move clause, he'll be here in the playoffs.

Coach Knoblauch should start finding a way to better utilize him, because healthy scratching him over worse players isn't the right message to the group.