Skinner scored a goal on two shots, added two hits and blocked two shots in Thursday's 5-3 loss to the Wild.
Skinner snapped his eight-game slump with a tally in the final minute of the contest. It did nothing to change the result, but it could help ignite the 32-year-old winger's offense if he can build off of it. Skinner is at a meager four goals and three assists through 21 contests, but his 57 shots on net and corresponding 7.0 shooting percentage suggest he's been a victim of bad luck to some extent. Still, his overall game has been lacking, and he'll have a tough time generating offense if he slips back onto the fourth line for any extended length of time.
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Oilers' Jeff Skinner: Dropped to fourth line
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Skinner had three shots on net and was minus-1 in Monday's 3-0 loss to the Canadiens.
It was the seventh consecutive game off the scoresheet for Skinner, who had been to contribute more than he has this season. The winger entered the night with just six points at minus-7 in 18 outings and was recently dropped to the fourth line, per Allan Mitchell of The Athletic. Skinner, who averaged a tick above 10 minutes TOI the previous three games, was on ice for 12:19 (15 shifts) on Monday, as the Oilers dressed only 11 forwards.
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Oilers' Jeff Skinner: Buries goal in win
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Skinner scored a goal and added two hits in Sunday's 4-2 win over the Flames.
Skinner ended a six-game goal drought with his first-period tally. The winger has found himself on a line with Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Zach Hyman while Connor McDavid (ankle) is out of the lineup. Skinner is up to six points, 37 shots on net, 10 hits and a minus-1 rating over 12 appearances in a middle-six role this season. He's likely auditioning to stay in the top six once McDavid's healthy, though Vasily Podkolzin is trying to do the same.
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Oilers' Jeff Skinner: Ends slump with helper
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Skinner logged an assist in Thursday's 5-1 win over the Predators.
Skinner snapped a five-game point drought when he helped out on a Zach Hyman tally in the third period. The 32-year-old Skinner had posted points in four straight outings prior to his slump. It's not unusual for his output to come in bunches, but he hasn't been immune from the Oilers' early struggles. Skinner has five points, 36 shots on net, eight hits and a minus-1 rating through 11 appearances, though he should see steady top-six minutes while Connor McDavid (ankle) is sidelined, which has led to Ryan Nugent-Hopkins shifting from left wing to center.
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Oilers' Jeff Skinner: Point streak up to four games
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Skinner scored a goal on three shots in Thursday's 4-2 win over the Predators.
Skinner has produced a four-game point streak following the Oilers' shutout loss on Opening Night. The 32-year-old has two goals, two assists, 18 shots on net and six hits through five contests. While he's been on the third line for the last two games, the Oilers have won those contests, so he may be stuck in a smaller role for a while. As one of the team's most consistent forwards early on, Skinner is likely first in line to move back into the top six when head coach Kris Knoblauch next changes up his lines.
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Oilers' Jeff Skinner: Manages assist
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Skinner logged an assist, three shots on goal and two hits in Tuesday's 4-3 overtime win over the Flyers.
Skinner was dropped to the third line in this contest, registering just 11:49 of ice time. The 32-year-old had started the year in a second-line role, but head coach Kris Knoblauch had to shuffle things up after the Oilers lost their first three games. Skinner hasn't been a problem with a goal, two assists and 15 shots on net through four contests, but his scoring outlook takes a hit if he can't find his way back into the top six.
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Oilers' Jeff Skinner: Nets lone goal in loss
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Skinner scored a goal on six shots and added two hits in Sunday's 4-1 loss to the Flames.
With the Oilers' offense sputtering early in the season, head coach Kris Knoblauch shuffled Skinner to the top line with Connor McDavid and Zach Hyman. The change worked at first, as Skinner scored 1:16 into the game, but it didn't lead to a return to form for the team as a whole. Skinner has two points, 12 shots on net and three hits through three contests, and he should remain a fixture in the top six throughout the campaign.
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Oilers' Jeff Skinner: Garners assist
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Skinner notched an assist and two shots on goal in Saturday's 5-2 loss to the Blackhawks.
Skinner's first point as an Oiler came on a Corey Perry tally just after a power play expired in the second period. The 32-year-old Skinner has added six shots on net through two contests, but he's yet to really click with linemates Leon Draisaitl and Viktor Arvidsson at even strength, though the same could be said for much of the Oilers' roster. As long as he stays in the top six, Skinner offers upside in points and shots, though he's unlikely to be a major factor on the power play in 2024-25.
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Oilers' Jeff Skinner: Looks to rebound with one-year deal
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Skinner signed a one-year, $3 million contract with the Oilers on Monday, per Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic.
The final three seasons of Skinner's eight-year, $72 million contract were bought out by the Sabres after he was limited to 24 goals and 46 points in 74 outings in 2023-24. While his production wasn't sufficient to justify his old contract, his new price is reasonable for a winger who would be a strong presence on Edmonton's third line. Skinner has also exceeded the 30-goal milestone on six occasions, including the 2021-22 and 2022-23 campaigns, so there's also that outside chance that he could end up being a steal for the Oilers. Keep a close eye on how Edmonton utilizes him. While there's stiff competition for top-six spots, his fantasy value would naturally increase meaningfully if he gets to play alongside Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl.
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Jeff Skinner: Getting bought out
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The Sabres are buying out the remainder of Skinner's contract, GM Kevyn Adams told Matthew Fairburn of The Athletic on Saturday.
Once the process is complete, Skinner will be eligible to become an unrestricted free agent Monday. He struggled last season with 46 points, including 24 goals, across 74 appearances. That's a sharp decline from 2022-23, when he finished with 35 markers and 82 points in 79 outings. Despite his recent drop in production, the 32-year-old is still capable of rebounding and being an impact forward in a top-six role. It wouldn't be surprising if he signs a one-year contract with a contender to re-establish his value before potentially getting a bigger payday in the summer of 2025.
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Sabres' Jeff Skinner: Hat trick in win
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Skinner scored three goals on six shots and went plus-3 in Monday's 6-2 win over the Kraken.
Skinner had a goal in each period to account for half of the Sabres' offense. It's his third multi-goal game of the campaign, and he's now racked up five tallies and four assists over nine games in March. For the season, the winger is up to 24 tallies, 45 points, 186 shots on net and a plus-2 rating through 61 appearances. A 30-goal campaign isn't out of the question, but he'd need to have a strong final month.
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Sabres' Jeff Skinner: Third straight 20-goal season
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Skinner had a goal and two assists in a 7-2 win over the Golden Knights on Saturday.
Skinner's goal was his 20th of the season. He's hit 20 for three straight seasons, and 2023-24 marks his 10th career 20-goal campaign. That ties him with Tyler Seguin (lower body) of the Dallas Stars for the most among players from the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.
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Sabres' Jeff Skinner: Good to go
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Skinner (undisclosed) will be available to play Tuesday against Florida, Matthew Fairburn of The Athletic reports.
Skinner left Monday's practice early and underwent imaging on a potential injury, but he will be able to suit up Tuesday. He has accumulated 19 goals, 36 points and 16 shots on net in 50 games this season.
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Sabres' Jeff Skinner: Undergoing medical imaging
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Skinner is set for an MRI before the club leaves for its two-game road trip, Heather Engel of NHL.com reports Monday.
Skinner was on the ice for just a few minutes Monday before departing and should be considered questionable heading into Tuesday's meeting with the Panthers. Skinner has managed just two goals and one assist over his last 12 contests after overcoming a previous upper-body issue. If Skinner were to miss any time, both Zach Benson and John-Jason Peterka could be in line for a promotion to the top line.
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Sabres' Jeff Skinner: Nets power-play marker
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Skinner scored a goal on a team-high five shots in Sunday's 3-2 shootout win over the Hurricanes.
Skinner got the Sabres on the board 6:27 into the second period, burying a rebound of Spencer Martin on the power play to tie the game 1-1. The 31-year-old Skinner has two goals over his last three games after he was held to just one point (an assist) over his previous nine contests. Overall, Skinner's up to 19 goals and 36 points through 50 games this season, a significant step down from his 82-point campaign in 2022-23.
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Sabres' Jeff Skinner: Activated from IR
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Skinner (upper body) was activated from injured reserve Tuesday, per the NHL media site.
Skinner, who missed the past five games, is projected to play on the top line and first power-play unit in his return to the lineup Tuesday versus Anaheim. He has compiled 17 goals, 33 points and 134 shots on net in 38 contests this campaign.
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Sabres' Jeff Skinner: Unavailable Saturday
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Skinner (upper body) won't play Saturday against Tampa Bay, per Lance Lysowski of The Buffalo News.
Skinner, who is considered day-to-day, will miss his fifth straight contest. He has 17 goals and 33 points across 38 outings this campaign. Zach Benson is slated to play on the top line in Saturday's matchup versus Tampa Bay.
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Sabres' Jeff Skinner: Game-time call Saturday
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Skinner (upper body) is expected to be a game-time decision Saturday against Tampa Bay, Lance Lysowski of The Buffalo News reports.
Skinner has missed Buffalo's last four games after suffering an injury Jan. 9 versus Seattle. While he was initially deemed week-to-week, the 31-year-old winger appears to be on track to return ahead of schedule. Skinner has 17 goals and 33 points in 38 games this season.
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Sabres' Jeff Skinner: Considered day-to-day
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Skinner is considered day-to-day with his upper-body issue, Bleacher Report's Joe Yerdon reports.
Skinner won't be available versus Chicago on Thursday, but it sounds like he'll likely be ready to return sooner rather than later. With Skinner still unavailable, Victor Olofsson is expected to slot into a middle-six role against the Blackhawks.
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Sabres' Jeff Skinner: Shifts to IR
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Skinner (upper body) was placed on injured reserve Monday, per CapFriendly.
Skinner, who hasn't played since Jan. 9 against Seattle, is considered week-to-week. He has generated 17 goals, 33 points and 134 shots on net over 38 contests this campaign. Casey Mittelstadt has been occupying the left wing spot on the top line during Skinner's absence.
