Jeff Skinner's brief stint with the Edmonton Oilers appears to be over, as the veteran forward remains unsigned well into the NHL's free agency period. Skinner, who signed a one-year, $3 million contract with the Oilers on July 1, 2024, is now an unrestricted free agent.

Expectations were high when the Oilers signed Skinner last summer, with many fans and analysts envisioning him as a valuable addition to the team's forward group. The hope was that he would regain his scoring touch playing alongside stars like Leon Draisaitl. However, Skinner's performance in Edmonton didn't quite live up to those expectations. In 72 regular-season games, he recorded 16 goals and 13 assists. While this wasn't a terrible stat line, it wasn't the offensive boost the Oilers were hoping for.

Skinner's playing time diminished, and he was a healthy scratch at times. Despite a long NHL career, Skinner made his first Stanley Cup Final appearance with the Oilers in 2025. He managed a goal and an assist in five playoff games. While Skinner's defensive play improved over the season, it seemed he never fully fit into the team's system.

Several factors may have contributed to the Oilers' decision to move on from Skinner. His lack of size and speed were seen as a disadvantage. The Oilers may be looking for more defensively responsible players or those who better fit their system.

The Oilers have limited cap space. After re-signing Evan Bouchard to a four-year, $42 million deal, and other players like Trent Frederic and Kasperi Kapanen, the Oilers have roughly $500k in salary cap room. They may need to allocate their remaining resources to other positions or players who can provide a greater impact. The team has already traded Viktor Arvidsson to the Boston Bruins for a fifth-round pick in 2027 and also lost Connor Brown and Corey Perry to free agency.

Looking ahead, several teams could be potential landing spots for Skinner. The Toronto Maple Leafs, St. Louis Blues, and New York Islanders have all been mentioned as possibilities. Each of these teams has different needs and could offer Skinner a fresh start.

While Skinner's time with the Oilers may not have been a resounding success, he still has the potential to be a valuable player for another team. A change of scenery and a different role could help him regain his scoring touch and contribute to a new team's success.

As for the Oilers, they will likely continue to explore other options to improve their roster. With limited cap space, they will need to be creative in finding players who can provide the most value. General Manager Stan Bowman may look to trade players to create more cap room. The Oilers' focus will likely be on adding middle-six forwards and addressing their goaltending situation.