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Oilers coach Knoblauch admits a hard truth about Jeff Skinner before facing Buffalo Sabres

Originally posted on Oilers Daily | By Liam McCormick | Last updated Mar 10, 2025 2:41 PM ET

Jeff Skinner hasn't been the best fit for the Edmonton Oilers this season, and now Coach Knoblauch is simply admitting as much.

Knoblauch will be inserting Jeff Skinner onto the third line today after being scratched the last three games, and it feels like a formality to play against his former team.

Coach Knoblauch admits Jeff Skinner hasn't been a good fit for Edmonton Oilers

After the trade deadline, Coach Knoblauch must have had the free rein to speak candidly about the pending free agent Jeff Skinner - his style of play isn't what his team is looking for.

It hasn't gone as well as we anticipated. Just with finding a fit, who he's playing with. Jeff's been doing really good, working really hard, doing everything we've asked from him.
- Coach Knoblauch

The Oilers coach even seems to recognize that Skinner's play has greatly improved from the beginning of the season, but still, he's been their forward to be scratched most often.

These comments from the coach seem to call back to a previous assessment of Jeff Skinner, where Knoblauch seemed to imply the career sniper's defence can be a drag - and the Oilers have a surplus of quality bottom six players.

What does [Jeff Skinner] have to do to earn that extra ice time?
KNOBLAUCH: Play good hockey. I look at our team, and who is he elevating? We got a lot of guys who are playing really well right now.

Skinner has been healthy scratched for 10 games this season. In his 53 games, mostly in bottom six minutes, he's produced 11 goals and 21 points, but also owns a -6 rating. Through the season, he's barely seen any ice time with McDavid or Draisaitl.

The reality is, Knoblauch doesn't see anywhere that he can deploy a slow sniper with weaker defensive play. Skinner just hasn't been a good fit for Knoblauch's vision for the Oilers, and after tonight's game, it's likely he'll hit the press box again. When Evander Kane and Trent Frederic return, Skinner likely won't play at all.

At this point it's very clear the Oilers will let Skinner walk in free agency this year and will be free to spend his $3M salary elsewhere. However, it's a tough look for the veteran player, and he'll have to prove himself with a bounce back year next season.

This article first appeared on Oilers Daily and was syndicated with permission.

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