Burning Questions For the 2025-26 Season: Jeff Skinner

With the 2025-26 season now in sight, the plan is to address the burning questions surrounding every player on the roster (or competing for a roster spot). These questions are focused on how the player is expected to contribute to the Sharks this season and what their role will be.

Jeff Skinner
5'11" 200lbs
33 years old
2010 1st round pick

Last Season

Edmonton Oilers
72 games, 16 goals, 13 assists, 13:00 TOI

After approximately 1,000,000 years of missing the playoffs, Jeff Skinner signed with perennial Stanley Cup contender, the Edmonton Oilers. With the Oilers, Skinner saw his ice time drop from 16 minutes a night in his last season with the Buffalo Sabres to 13 minutes in a bottom six role. Skinner was still able to find the back of the net with a respectable 16 goals, but wasn't nearly as effective a player as we'd seen in the past few seasons. Skinner also had two points in his five playoff games for the Oilers in their march to a consecutive Stanley Cup Finals loss to the Florida Panthers.

This offseason, Jeff Skinner signed a one-year deal with the San Jose Sharks for $3 million. Skinner has a full no-trade clause until January 30th, and then it opens up to an 8-team trade list.

Burning Question

Slippage or usage?

The age-old question was whether Jeff Skinner was not as effective last season because he was playing in a lesser role on a much better Oilers team, or whether Skinner was not good enough to earn a better role, and the slippage in his game had started to appear.

General Manager Mike Grier is betting on usage. Skinner has been a professional goal scorer since his debut in the league. Skinner has had one 40-goal season and five other seasons where he scored 30 goals or more. The Sharks are banking on if Skinner is given top six minutes, he can be a productive player again. The hope is that Skinner be a Tyler Toffoli 2.0 for San Jose as the Sharks look to insulate some of their younger players and provide more scoring.

San Jose has been one of the worst team in the NHL when it comes to (you can insert most stats here) offense. Skinner has shown that he can be a very productive player on underwhelming teams throughout his career. This feels like a natural fit for both team and player as Skinner is a place holder for players like Quentin Musty, Cam Lund, and Igor Chernyshov to continue to marinate in the AHL. If Skinner regains his scoring touch, he should be a desirable trade asset, especially with his $3 million contract.

Expectations

While the Tyler Toffoli comparision is very easy to make, an Anthony Duclair one feels more appropriate. Duclair was acquired coming off a down season (post injury for Duclair) and used San Jose as a way to springboard his career into a nice contract from the New York Islanders. Jeff Skinner is coming off a disappointing season with the Oilers and is also looking to find his game again in a better role.

Duclair put up 16 goals on a horrific Sharks team before getting traded for a third-round pick and Jack Thompson. Skinner should have a reasonable shot at hitting the 20 goal mark prior to the trade deadline with an improving roster and a fair amount of ice time with Macklin Celebrini. Skinner could be another example of creating assets out of nothing for Mike Grier as he continues to add more to the war chest.

Even if Skinner can't find his game again, we should still have a great time with him on the socials.