BUFFALO, N.Y. [WKBW] — For the third consecutive game, Buffalo Sabres forward Jeff Skinner will be a healthy scratch Thursday evening against the New Jersey Devils.
Sabres head coach Ralph Krueger confirmed Skinner would once again sit Thursday morning following the team's morning skate.
"My job every single morning is to continue to try to do what's best for the Sabres with all the information we have," Krueger said. "Every decision is made for the whole, for the group."
Ralph Krueger on Jeff Skinner being "in the dog house": I don't have a dog house, I don't really know what that is
— Matthew Bové (@Matt_Bove) February 25, 2021
In 14 games played this season, Skinner hasn't scored a goal and has only one assist. The 28-year-old winger is in the second year of an eight-year extension he signed following the 2018-2019 season. Skinner has a $9 million cap hit per season and a no-movement clause throughout the remainder of his contract.
"My job, combined with the attitude and the work ethic of a player is to work together to find the potential of a player," Krueger added. "When Jeff is called upon again may we drive him closer to his potential, working together on that solution. I would say right now the decision is more for the players that are in the lineup than against anybody else."
Krueger reiterated again Thursday morning the decision to sit Skinner is strictly a hockey decision and not disciplinary.
Ralph Krueger explains the decision to once again sit Jeff Skinner. Question from @john_wawrow #Sabres @WKBW pic.twitter.com/zB9H1O7uIV
— Matthew Bové (@Matt_Bove) February 25, 2021
