Sabres: Krueger, Skinner give thoughts on Jeff’s struggles

It looks like Jeff Skinner could be a healthy scratch for the Buffalo Sabres in today’s game against the New York Islanders at Nassau Coliseum.

Skinner has no goals and has only had one assist so far this season. In Saturday’s victory over New Jersey, he logged a team-high four shots on goal, while playing only 11 minutes, which was a season-low for him.

While this may indicate he is looking to break out of a slump, the lack of productivity is uncharacteristic of the 28-year-old and has raised valid questions. As the Sabres need a boost in wins to have any hope of making the postseason, there is no better time for a return to form by Skinner.

The situation is further accentuated by Skinner’s contract situation.

The 7th overall pick in 2010 by the Hurricanes came to Buffalo by way of trade after eight years with Carolina. In his first season with the Sabres, he turned in a 2018-19 campaign that included 40 goals and 23 assists for 63 total points in 82 games for the team, which was both a team-high and a personal career-high. Per Sabres PR, his 40 goals were third-best in franchise history for a player in their first year with the team, while his 32 even-strength goals that season were good for the most in Sabres history for a first-year member.

Previous Sabres GM Jason Botterill rewarded him with an eight-year extension worth $72 million with a $9 Million Average Annual Value (AAV). The contract expires in 2027, when Skinner will be 34 years old. In the following season, his productivity dropped to 14 scores and 23 total points, and this year it is other players putting up points.

During this past Sunday afternoon’s practice, Casey Mittelstadt saw time in place of Skinner’s. This rotation change in-and-of-itself shouldn’t necessarily be read into too deeply as rotations and rest have been a regular part of coach Ralph Krueger’s routine player management this season- For example, during Saturday’s win over New Jersey, Tage Thompson and Henri Jokiharju sat out.

“We will continue to analyze postgame what we feel and what we see,” said Krueger per The Buffalo News. “And look for the mix that we believe gives us as a team within the roles we need the best chance to be successful. You saw a potential change in the mix today. We won’t confirm it till tomorrow. But it’s how we function here. We look honestly at production. We look honestly at the inputs in and around the team game that we need, and try and put  that mix in place that gives us a chance.”

There is certainly something to be said about the dip in production for an otherwise offensively above league average player, which in part can be attributed to whether the players around him are creating opportunities. A line change, or trade, could potentially get the right group around him to create scoring opportunities.

Well aware of his situation in the second year of his contractual pact, he does sense the urgency to produce and takes responsibility for it.

“Obviously I’m going through a little bit of a slump. And it’s not something I’m used to,” said Skinner. “Especially 5-on-5. I think since I’ve come in the league I’ve shown to have some pretty good success at 5-on-5. It’s just something that’s not working, not going well right now. I’ve just got to work my way out of it.”