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Philip Botti
The Hockey Writers
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Finding a Center For Jeff Skinner
The Hurricanes are having trouble scoring goals this season. They are 29th in the league in goals per game, and they are not getting the goals from their established goal scorers. Alexander Semin has been a mystery for the ‘Canes, and it doesn’t seem like he will ever get back to goal scoring form (at least for the ‘Canes). The other noticeable goal scorer who hasn’t been able to bury the puck in the net this season is Jeff Skinner. Skinner is a two-time 30-goal scorer, but has only pocketed 10-goals this season. The main issues is the winger doesn’t have a talented center who can help him get the puck in dangerous areas to score goals. So what can the ‘Canes do to get the one they call “Skins” going offensively?
The ‘Canes Need Another Center
Right now the first line of the Hurricanes is clicking. Jordan Staal, and Eric Staal are playing great together but that leaves the team trying to find a skilled center for Skinner. The first line has also added Elias Lindholm to the mix. Skinner has bounced around with different centers all season long. In 2013-2014 Jeff Skinner scored 33-goals, and by the end of January he had 24-goals. It is late January this season and he is way below the goal total. He has spent time on lines with Riley Nash, Victor Rask, and Elias Lindholm but none have really showed a spark the progressed the team. Victor Rask could be the best option for the ‘Canes and Skinner, but the young forward is still developing yet he shows some of the skills that could match well with the youngest NHL player to every play in an All Star game.
Just FYI the youngest player in #NHLAllStar game was #Canes Jeff Skinner in 2011 at 18 years and 259 days
— Matt Sitkoff (@msitkoffNHL) January 23, 2015
The Teammates
Victor Rask
Victor Rask is young and still growing as a player. What makes him an interesting candidate in a future center for Skinner is his ability to win faceoffs, his skill, and his speed. Rask has 6-goals and 9-assists in his inaugural season. He has also been successful on 50.2% of his faceoffs this year. The young Swede has impressed this year as a rookie on a losing team searching for talent. If he continues to grow this season, he could be one of the top choices as Jeff Skinner’s future center buddy.
Riley Nash
Riley Nash has also been a line-mate for Skinner this season. Nash was leading the ‘Canes in goals at one point but has been pretty unimpressive throughout the rest of the season. He has registered 7-goals and 9-assists, and continues to play a lot of minutes for the ‘Canes. Nash has played well, but I don’t think he is a good fit to help bring the most out of Skinner’s potential. I hope he proves me wrong, and plays the rest of the season like he did in November, a month that he registered 10-points.
Future
Trades
It is well-known that a few of the Hurricanes players could be leaving the team around the trade deadline. Cam Ward and Andrej Sekera may find their talents needed from a few of the current playoff contenders. Teams are known to over pay at the trade deadline for rental players, and end of giving away talent for what they think will push them to a cup. It does seem far-fetched the ‘Canes will be able to get a talented center for Jeff Skinner without giving up a player of Eric Staal’s caliber. It is also said Staal will not waive his no trade clause, which means they won’t get top talent for him. Trading Eric Staal is not the best option in finding another capable center for the ‘Canes.
(Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports)
Draft
The ‘Canes are battling for the top pick in the upcoming NHL draft which features two of the top center prospects in hockey. Both of these centers have a huge buzz floating around them leading up to the draft. Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel could be huge stars in this league. Both of them would benefit greatly coming into the league and having a skilled winger like Jeff Skinner on their lines to start their careers. If the ‘Canes keep losing, and fall to one of the top two picks, the center for Jeff Skinner could fall right into their laps.
Jack Eichel (Maya Devereaux, Flickr)
Conclusion
The Hurricanes are playing enlightened hockey now with a strong first line. Jeff Skinner isn’t a part of that line, and if the team wants success they will need to find talent to center their skilled goal scoring winger. The former 30-goal scorer could explode back into the upper level of goal scorers in the league with a capable center. That is something easier said then done for the Carolina Hurricanes. They could split up that successful first line, but that would be counter productive. It is tough to swing a prospect or proven center in a trade at the deadline. Victor Rask could be that center, but it will take some time for him to grow into a complete NHL player. Free agency could be an option if the ‘Canes can clean up some cap space. The draft looks like the best option in my opinion. If the ‘Canes lose themselves right into the first or second overall pick, they will find the player who would perfectly fit in with Jeff Skinner. Who do the fans think is the best option at center for the ‘Canes and Jeff Skinner?
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