Yahoo Sports 'Play Good Hockey': Oilers' Kris Knoblauch Calls Out (And Compliments) Jeff Skinner's Recent Play
EDMONTON -- "We have a lot of guys who are playing really well right now."
It doesn't have to be pretty as long as it's a win. The Edmonton Oilers head into their Christmas Break with a 3-1 win over the Ottawa Senators. Viktor Arvidsson and Zach Hyman lead the charge offensively in the victory.
Jeff Skinner is a player who has struggled recently. Both the player and the coach are aware of this.
After the game, Kris Knoblauch spoke to the media on various topics. Skinner's demotion to the fourth line was one of them. When it comes to what he can do to earn more minutes, Knoblauch spoke loud and clear.
"Just play good hockey," Knoblauch revealed. He went on to talk about what Skinner's line did well against the Senators. "They spent a lot of time in the offensive zone, and they were around the net a lot. That's what I expect from him."
Kris Knoblauch was asked about what Jeff Skinner needs to do to earn more ice time
"Play good hockey."#LetsGoOilers— Caleb Kerney (@CKerneyWriter) December 23, 2024
The Oilers' fourth line succeeded in having offensive zone time and generating opportunities. However, Skinner couldn't buy himself a goal during his 11:50 on the ice.
That's the most Skinner has played since the Oilers' 6-3 win over the Vegas Golden Knights. That was also the last time he scored.
Mixed messaging aside, Knoblauch spoke plainly about the team's state and how it impacts Skinner's standing.
"I look at our team," Knoblauch said. "Who's he elevating? We have a lot of guys who are playing really well. He'll have his opportunity."
"The season is long. There's injuries, there's slumps."
An 82-game schedule is long; there is no debating that. However, the bottom six is not where you put a 30 and 40-goal-scoring winger.
It's a cycle that has no end in sight. But as far as Knoblauch is concerned, the Ferris wheel will stop turning once Skinner can solidify him as the top-six talent he was acquired to be.
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