Another report of a team interested in Carolina Hurricanes forward Jeff Skinner
 surfaced last Thursday. Or, maybe it was Saturday, or 10 minutes ago. It has
gotten to be the headline du jour during this offseason.Breaking: Skinner Trade
 Being Talked About (Still)

The children';s book about the sky falling comes to mind. Sure, it might
happen. A deal might be in the process of being drawn up even as this is being
typed. The latest version of "reported talks" regarding Skinner has to do with
 the Chicago Blackhawks. Whether or not there is any veracity to the rumors is
anybody';s guess.

The reality could go from a range of Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman
sending a text message to Hurricanes general manager Don Waddell and asking,
"You guys wanna trade Skinner?" to full-on agents sitting at a table talking
numbers and player names to be included in a trade.Jeff Skinner, Carolina
Hurricanes, Mar. 1, 2018 (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

Brandon M. Cain at Second City Hockey wrote last Thursday that the Blackhawks
were looking at a Skinner trade. Cain wrote,

The Chicago Blackhawks are "in talks" to acquire two top-end talent left
wingers in Montreal Canadiens' Max Pacioretty and Carolina Hurricanes' Jeff
Skinner, reports David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period. Jay Zawaski of 670 the
Score also says the Hawks have discussed Skinner, but his source hasn't heard
the same about Pacioretty.

I can easily imagine Bowman licking his chops over the thought of getting
Pacioretty and Skinner. Maybe to sweeten the deal he could get Connor McDavid
and Jack Eichel, too.

Told the Blackhawks have been in talks with Montreal about Pacioretty and
Carolina about Skinner. Chicago has approx $8.5M in cap space after today's
trade. Possible these talks pick up steam now.

- David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) July 12, 2018

The Skinner Song Remains the Same

The question was and still remains even at the time of this writing, "What do
the Hurricanes get in a trade involving Skinner?" Nothing has changed since I
penned, "Trading Skinner a Dicey Proposition" on June 23. At that time, this
was what I considered to be the prevailing thought and I maintain that it still
 should be when discussing the 'Canes trading Skinner: "The questions that
arise are "Why?" and "For who?"

There really is no need to reiterate what I have written previously several
times. But, to summarize, letting Skinner play out the last year of his
contract-to me-is the best move. Let';s see if he can find his zone under new
Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind';Amour. If not, let him go when his contract is
 up. If he finds it, however, he might just lead this Hurricanes team to the
playoffs. He is more than capable of having that big of an influence on the
team. In fact, he';s proven in the past how valuable he is as a team
leader.Jeff Skinner (James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports)

In December 2016 I wrote that Skinner was hitting on all cylinders: "Jeff
Skinner has emerged as the leader of the team in demonstrating effort and
determination and a will to win...Because of his leadership, the team is doing
things it has not done in a while on a consistent basis, namely playing like
they can win in every game. Of course, they are not winning every game, but
Skinner is instilling in his teammates an attitude that believes they can."

There is more to Skinner than a thrice-concussed, butt-dragging defensive
player. Former Hurricanes head coach Bill Peters clamped down on Skinner
because of his lack of defensive prowess or effort or both. But, Skinner is a
team leader in more ways than one.Skinner May Not Want to Be Traded

Matt Karash at Canes and Coffee wrote on June 25, "With the addition of
(Dougie) Hamilton and the potential for Skinner's no-move clause to throw a
wrench in things, Skinner now seems more likely to be with the team in October
as compared to (Justin) Faulk. But the sheer volume of rumors and rumblings
around Skinner right now suggest that he too could be on the move." Without
question, there are voluminous rumors about a Skinner trade. But, are they
true, and if so, why have they not been consummated?

On July 2, Chip Alexander of the Raleigh News & Observer wrote about Skinner
and his no-move clause: "It';s no secret Canes general manager Don Waddell has
been shopping Skinner, looking for a trade partner. But Skinner also has a
no-move clause in his contract that gives him final approval of any deal, and
none has been struck." The translation here is that Skinner has not agreed to
be moved.

A major Skinner trade announcement could happen overnight. Or not. The
Hurricanes should do one of two things. First, stop talking about trading
Skinner. Commit to seeing what he can bring to the party this season. Maybe
Brind';Amour can set him on fire and the 40 or more goals Skinner is capable of
 scoring could be realized.

Still praying the Canes don't trade Jeff Skinner

- claire (@cbateshill) July 2, 2018

If that is just not meant to happen, then make sure the return for Skinner is
not a bunch of draft picks and prospects. The Hurricanes must have goal scoring
 if they want to make the playoffs. If the intent is to get rid of a proven
scorer, then they need to get one or more in return. Get some picks and
prospects if possible, also. But, Skinner can be an elite goal scorer in the
NHL. He should command a huge return.

All things considered, the Hurricanes should keep Skinner.

The post Yet Another 'Report'; of Skinner Trade Talk appeared first on The
Hockey Writers.

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