Buffalo Sabres: 3 takeaways from Friday’s 2-1 loss to the Capitals

2. Jeff Skinner needs to play in the Buffalo Sabres’ top-six forward group.

It’s clear that coach Ralph Krueger isn’t too fond of left wing Jeff Skinner. Skinner is being paid $9 million but playing on the fourth line because of his defensive issues.

Skinner is being paid to score, not to play defense. Playing him in the bottom-six — which are forwards who are there to wear down the opposition and play a defense-first style — makes no sense.

Krueger needs to put his ego aside and admit he was wrong and do what’s best for the team, which is clearly putting Skinner back in the top-six forward group.

Skinner was one of the best players on the ice for Buffalo last night, yet he didn’t get promoted in the lineup until Hall had to go to the locker room in the third period to get some stitches after getting a puck to the mouth.

Last night Skinner played just under 14-and-a-half minutes, and in the first game he played just over this mark. This is unacceptable that one of your highest-paid and obviously most skilled forward is playing under 18 minutes a game.

Skinner may have had a down year last season, but down years have happened throughout his career. If given the opportunity, he’ll most likely have a much better season this year. This is proven by his career stats.