Make or break year for Jeff Skinner

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Finnegan Frost
September 3, 2024 (10:55)

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Edmonton Oilers newest offseason acquisition Jeff Skinner faces a make or break year heading into the regular season.

Skinner, who was recently bought out by the Buffalo Sabres has a chip on his shoulders this season. The once prolific all-star sniper for the Buffalo Sabres has seen a significant decline in performance over the years, but a new opportunity in Edmonton could kick start his career.

Skinner will be given the opportunity to skate on the second line alongside perennial All-Star Leon Draisaitl and recent free agent signee Viktor Arvidsson. With a world-class playmaker down the middle and a hard-nosed puck hound to his right, Skinner will surely be afforded endless scoring opportunities and tap-ins playing alongside two of the game's best.

Skinner, 32, was signed on a one-year deal for $3 million AAV. The deal has been deemed a fairly "low risk, high reward" scenario, and Skinner still poses as an electrifying offensive threat. In addition to the massive chip on his shoulder, the former Sabres veteran has never played a post-season game in his entire career. He will be looking to prove his offensive worth to the Oilers while simultaneously pushing for his first play off round.

On the flip side, if Skinner isn't able to find success, it will have been a well-intended move by the Oilers that simply didn't pan out. Sure, they're facing salary cap woes, but taking a gamble on a player such as Skinner on a short-term and low-value deal is exactly the type of move that could help push them to the top as they set their sights on a return to the Stanley Cup Final.

On a line with Leon Draisaitl and Viktor Arvidson, Skinner can easily climb back into the the 30+ goal range. Will this acquisition prove to be a good one by the Oilers? Fans are eagerly awaiting to see how Skinner will perform.

Source: The Hockey Writers
Can Jeff Skinner Strike Oil in Edmonton?