Skinner finally bound for NHL playoffs

October 7, 2024

Key Points:

• Skinner hasn't played in NHL playoffs yet.
• Skinner joined Oilers, a playoff-bound team.
• Leafs strengthened defense with Ekman-Larsen, Tanev.
• Predators added Stamkos, Marchessault for offense.
• Ovechkin nearing Gretzky's 894 career goals record.
• Connor Bedard aiming for 50 goals this season.

Ten times a 20-plus goal scorer (and 30-plus in six of those seasons) while playing for poor teams in Carolina and Buffalo, the Toronto-born left-winger could hardly be blamed for dreaming about an inaugural playoff run next spring.

Incredibly, in 14 seasons and 1,006 games, Skinner has never skated in an NHL playoff game. But that's about to change now that he is a member of the Edmonton Oilers, Stanley Cup finalists last year and a relative slam-dunk playoff team thanks to the talents of Connor McDavid-led roster of stars.