He also endured a few rocky seasons with the Sabres that ended in him being bought out. In his first year with the Edmonton Oilers, he’s gone from a high-profile free-agent signee to someone struggling to get into the lineup.

Jeff Skinner hasn't been as snug a fit on the Edmonton Oilers as initially thought, but he did earn praise recently.

After another slow start to the season, the Edmonton Oilers have once again climbed their way to the top of the Pacific division, with eyes set on another deep playoff run with the ultimate goal of winning it all.

The Edmonton Oilers are playing the second half of a back to back against the rebuilding Chicago Blackhawks, and Coach Knoblauch is taking the opportunity to majorly mix up the lines.

Few stories have been as well documented in Edmonton this season as Jeff Skinner’s. After the Buffalo Sabres bought out the final three years of his contract this summer, Skinner was quick to sign a one-year deal with the Oilers.

How far down the Oilers' pecking order has Skinner dropped? He played 13:34 in Thursday's 6-2 win over Vancouver − and that was his biggest ice time total since Dec. 3.

It has not been the type of season that the Edmonton Oilers had envisioned for free-agent signing Jeff Skinner.