How Jeff Skinner of the Oilers eventually got opportunities and took advantage of them – The Athletic

In the fast-paced world of the NHL, opportunities can be fleeting, and players must seize them when they arise. For Jeff Skinner, a winger for the Edmonton Oilers, the road to becoming a consistent contributor for the team was not without its challenges. Skinner’s journey in the NHL has been one marked by patience, persistence, and most importantly, the ability to capitalize on the opportunities that presented themselves. His development as a player—especially within the high-pressure environment of the Oilers—has been a testament to his growth, his adaptability, and his relentless work ethic.

This article takes a deep dive into how Jeff Skinner’s time with the Oilers has unfolded, how he navigated challenges, and how he has taken full advantage of the opportunities that have been presented to him. Through analyzing his early career struggles, his eventual breakthrough with the Oilers, and his impact on the team’s success, we gain insight into the evolution of Skinner as an NHL player. We will also explore how his perseverance and ability to learn from past experiences have shaped his current role in the team’s lineup.

The Early Years: Struggling for Consistency

Jeff Skinner’s story began in the small Ontario town of Markham, where he first showcased his prodigious talent in junior hockey. Drafted 7th overall by the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2010 NHL Draft, Skinner quickly made his mark in the NHL, winning the Calder Memorial Trophy as the league’s best rookie during the 2010-2011 season. His speed, skill, and scoring touch were immediately evident, and many believed that Skinner was on the fast track to becoming one of the league’s premier forwards.

However, as with many young players, Skinner’s career was far from linear. Injuries took their toll, and his play became inconsistent as he battled to stay healthy. A series of concussions and other injuries impacted his ability to find sustained success in Carolina, and his role on the team fluctuated over the years. Skinner’s time with the Hurricanes became increasingly challenging as the team went through rebuilds, and Skinner struggled to find a consistent place within the lineup.

Despite his potential, Skinner often found himself in situations where he was forced to fight for playing time. By 2018, after spending eight seasons with the Hurricanes, Skinner was traded to the Buffalo Sabres, where he would find a bit more stability, but again, not the success he was hoping for. While Skinner posted respectable numbers with Buffalo, including a 40-goal season in 2018-2019, his time with the Sabres also featured frustration, especially as the team went through a lengthy period of mediocrity.

At this stage in his career, Skinner was no longer viewed as a future superstar, but as a player with a lot of skill who hadn’t yet fully put it together consistently. His value was clear to anyone who watched him, but the real challenge was unlocking that potential on a more regular basis.

Joining the Edmonton Oilers: A Fresh Start

In 2022, after his time with the Sabres came to an end, Skinner joined the Edmonton Oilers on a one-year deal. For the Oilers, this acquisition was part of a strategy to bring in players who could add depth to the roster and complement the team’s existing superstars, like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. The Oilers had high expectations, having come close to a Stanley Cup in previous seasons, but they needed depth, balance, and more production throughout their lineup.

At first glance, Skinner’s arrival in Edmonton seemed like a low-risk, high-reward move. After all, the Oilers had an explosive top line, but they were still in need of players who could contribute consistently on the second and third lines. Skinner was given a chance to show what he could do in a depth role, playing alongside talented players but with the opportunity to take on more responsibility if he performed well.

At first, Skinner’s performance was met with some mixed results. While his skill was undeniable, he had to adjust to the Oilers’ system and the pressures of playing in a Canadian market. Early in the 2022-2023 season, he was not immediately thrust into top-six minutes, but he consistently showed flashes of his scoring ability. His on-ice awareness and quick release remained assets, but the challenge for Skinner was to find a regular spot in the lineup.

The Opportunity Arrives: Skinner’s Chance to Shine

The turning point for Jeff Skinner came in the latter half of the 2022-2023 season. With injuries affecting various players in the Oilers’ lineup, Skinner was given an opportunity to step up. The Oilers, already one of the most high-powered offensive teams in the league, needed depth scoring to propel them further in the playoff race. When injuries to key players like Evander Kane and Zach Hyman opened up spots in the top six, Skinner was called upon to deliver.

Skinner took full advantage of the opportunity. His versatility, which had been a source of frustration in previous years, became an asset in Edmonton. He was able to adapt to different roles within the lineup, including playing with McDavid and Draisaitl on occasion, and his chemistry with the team’s offensive juggernaut became evident. Skinner’s speed allowed him to keep up with the Oilers’ fast-paced game, and his ability to read plays and find open spaces on the ice allowed him to capitalize on the opportunities McDavid and Draisaitl created.

In a span of just a few weeks, Skinner saw his role increase dramatically. The Oilers’ coaching staff, led by Jay Woodcroft at the time, began to trust him more, and his minutes increased, along with his responsibility. Skinner quickly found himself playing alongside some of the best players in the world, with McDavid and Draisaitl feeding him the puck. His production skyrocketed, and he was scoring regularly, contributing in ways that were not anticipated when he first arrived in Edmonton.

This period of heightened responsibility saw Skinner at his most dynamic. His ability to score timely goals, combined with his relentless work ethic, made him a key part of the Oilers’ depth scoring. The consistency that had been missing from his game for so long started to show, and as the Oilers moved closer to the playoffs, Skinner’s importance to the team continued to grow.

Taking Advantage of Opportunities: Why Skinner’s Breakthrough Matters

For Jeff Skinner, the lesson is clear: in the NHL, opportunities must be seized when they arise. After years of playing through adversity and struggling to find a consistent role, Skinner finally found a team that believed in him and was willing to give him a chance. Edmonton, with its offensive firepower and playoff ambitions, was the perfect environment for Skinner to rediscover his form.

Skinner’s ability to adapt and evolve in Edmonton’s system speaks to his growth as a player. While his offensive talents were always evident, his success with the Oilers came from his improved understanding of how to play within a structured system. Under Woodcroft’s coaching, Skinner learned how to be more effective with and without the puck, and his commitment to improving his defensive play helped elevate his status on the team.

Moreover, Skinner’s time in Edmonton gave him a chance to thrive in a city that is passionate about its hockey team. Playing for a team with Stanley Cup aspirations, Skinner was surrounded by other highly skilled players who could elevate his game. It was clear that playing with players like McDavid and Draisaitl, who create scoring chances out of thin air, was something Skinner could maximize, but it was his ability to step up in key moments and contribute to the team’s success that earned him more responsibility.

The Future: Can Skinner Build on His Success?

As the 2023-2024 season continues, Skinner enters the year with a greater sense of confidence and a more defined role on the Oilers’ roster. No longer viewed as a player who needed to prove his worth, Skinner is now seen as an integral part of the Oilers’ success moving forward. His ability to produce offensively and contribute to the team’s depth scoring has solidified his place in the Oilers’ plans for the future.

The challenge for Skinner moving forward will be maintaining the level of play that allowed him to break through in the second half of the 2022-2023 season. With increased expectations and a more prominent role, Skinner will need to continue developing his game while handling the pressure that comes with playing in such a high-profile market.