Joined: Mar. 2021
Posts: 348
Likes: 155
I still have a feeling that Skinner can be an effective player in Buffalo. Jeff Skinner scored 40 goals literally only 2 seasons ago, yes his contract was an overpay, now and at the time, but put simply, he did not deserve the fate he was given. In that season he scored 40, it was almost all at even strength, only 8 goals on the power play. He played with Eichel and Reinhart and that line was awesome. The next year, Ralph Kreuger comes in and his first act of business is to break up that line and put Victor Olofsson up there, a player who is nothing more than a power play specialist. Skinner toiled away off that line playing mostly with players like Marcus Johansson, Evan Rodrigues, Vladimir Sobotka and Connor Sheary. This year it was even worse as the Buffalo Sabres allowed a soccer guy to take their 9 million dollar complimentary scorer and place him on the 4th line. Jeff Skinner is a top line player because he has to be, its the only way hes successful and he was pretty damn successful when put in that role. Do not move off of Jeff Skinners contract because its only gonna make things worse for the organization based off what they'd need to give up JUST to unload him. Play him back with Jack and Sam once again, the line that he scored 40 goals, and see how it goes. Its much better to go back to something that works than throwaway a franchise caliber defensive talent for "cap reasons"
It shouldnt be as surprise that Skinner failed once taken off that line, he is a complimentary scorer who needs elite talent to be maximized. Maximize him then because youve already paid him his cash you have nothing to lose