For the third straight game, Jeff Skinner was a healthy scratch for the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday, which has led to some controversy and Skinner’s agent Don Meehan stepping in to speak with Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams.
Speaking with reporters on Friday, Skinner shared his side of things. When asked if he wanted a change of scenery or coach, he said that he was happy to be in Buffalo with the Sabres.
While Skinner acknowledged that he doesn’t think he’ll be able to learn anything from being off the ice, it sounds like his priority is to help his team win above all, regardless of any disagreements with coach Ralph Krueger.
Since signing an eight-year, $72 million contract in 2019, Skinner’s numbers have dropped and he’s been taken off the top line with Jack Eichel. Skinner has one assist this season in 14 appearances.
For his part, Krueger says that his decision to bench Skinner has to do with the team’s “culture of accountability.”
