As the NHL heads into the Olympic break, the Philadelphia Flyers face a significant challenge with the loss of Rodrigo Abols, their reliable fourth-line center. Abols, who fractured his ankle, is likely out for the season.
It's a tough break for the Flyers, as Abols was having a solid year, contributing three goals and seven assists, with a faceoff percentage of 52.1% while averaging just over ten minutes of ice time per game. That's commendable for a player in his role.
With Abols sidelined, the Flyers are shuffling their lineup. Noah Cates and Sean Couturier remain key at center, while Christian Dvorak and Trevor Zegras have also stepped in. However, with Abols out and no call-up for Jett Luchanko yet, the Flyers might need to look elsewhere for reinforcements.
Enter Jeff Skinner?
Recently released by the San Jose Sharks, Jeff Skinner could be an intriguing option for the Flyers. Once a standout center, Skinner was the Calder Trophy winner in 2011 and an all-star in 2019.
He’s a six-time 30-goal scorer, most recently achieving the feat in the 2022-23 season. While not a Hall of Famer, his career has been impressive.
This season, though, has been challenging for the 33-year-old. Limited playing time with the Sharks has seen him score just six goals and seven assists in 33 games, and his faceoff win percentage has dropped to a career-low 27.3%.
The Sharks, like the Flyers, are in a rebuilding phase and decided to part ways with Skinner on February 16th. Any team signing him would need to cover his remaining salary.
So, why should the Flyers consider Skinner? The answer lies in his veteran experience.
He’s been through playoff battles, unlike many on the current Flyers roster. Last season, he was part of the Edmonton squad that reached the Stanley Cup Finals.
The Flyers are teetering on the edge of playoff contention. While they could sell players at the deadline, the return might not be substantial, aside from possibly Rasmus Ristolainen. General Manager Daniel Briere has stated he won’t sacrifice the team’s future for a short-term playoff push.
This is where Skinner could fit in. Signed for the remainder of the season, he could fill a bottom-line role as the Flyers make their playoff push.
If they succeed, his playoff experience would be invaluable. If not, the team will likely turn to AHL call-ups to gain NHL experience.
Skinner isn’t a game-changer, but he could be a cost-effective, short-term solution at center, potentially providing a spark. At the very least, he offers more than the current options. If things don’t pan out, the Flyers might even flip him for a late-round draft pick to a contender.