Too old to be a prospect and yet too young to be considered a journeyman, right winger Jack Skille is trying to find a way to make an impression on the Blue Jackets that will see him stick with the club. Signed as a free agent by Columbus in July to a one-year, two-way contract, Skille will be an unrestricted free agent next summer.
He was drafted seventh overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in 2005. Since that time, he has played 182 games at the NHL level. Although he hasn't reached the potential that saw him drafted that high, he's using his skills as a strong, tenacious forechecker and swift skater to good effect. He has speed and is a grinding winger with a bit of an upside who works hard every shift he's on the ice.
In Springfield, he's notched 2-1-3, +1 in 6 games for the Falcons, who are 1st in the AHL Northeast Division with a record of 13-3-1.
"He hasn't played a lot of games in Springfield. He got hurt when he got hit in the face. But, when he's played, he's played well," Columbus assistant GM Chris MacFarland said. "He's obviously a top-line guy down there. He skates very well and has a good shot. They count on him to provide a good forecheck, play on the power play and carry the load a little bit offensively."
Since being recalled by Columbus on Nov. 17, he's notched 1-0-1, +1 in 3 games. The lone goal, his first as a Blue Jacket, came in the rout at Toronto on Nov. 25.
"Up here", MacFarland continued, "he's got to change his game a little bit because he may be on the second line or may be on the fourth line."
In the last two games he's averaged over nine minutes of ice time over 29 shifts.
"I think in the last couple of games, for me, have been his best games," MacFarland said. "He scored a nice goal the other night in Toronto, but the next shift he took the puck wide and took it hard to the net, drawing a penalty. He tried to do that again (Wednesday versus Nashville).
"That's what Jack is. He's a kid that can skate and he's got a good shot. Those are the things he has to maximize, both here and there (Springfield)."
Skille has the drive to tweak his game enough to make Columbus take a good, hard look at re-signing him before he hits next summer.
At this point in his career, might he go the same route that Derek MacKenzie used in earning a one-way contract with the Blue Jackets through hard work, determination and skill?
"Jack has a lot of natural ability,", said MacFarland. "He was drafted that high for a reason. Maybe that hurt him a little bit, putting pressure on himself to play up to that or think he has to score all the time. He's a big, strong body that can certainly skate at this level.
"Derek was a god scorer in junior and good scorer in the American League. But to play at this level, he transformed his game and became an excellent penalty killer and a good face-off guy. He plays really good defensively and manages the puck. Any time a young player can learn to do that, that will always endear him to the coaches.
"If Jack can become a rock-solid defensive player, get pucks deep and be good in his own zone, I think that will translate to some offensive success. He's shown that with his shot, he'll score too and provide some complimentary offense. I think so far, so good for him."
Watching Skille on the ice for the last few games, he's gotten himself into a rhythm that showcases his skill level. He was one of the better players on the ice in the loss to Nashville, although he didn't get on the score sheet. He's growing more comfortable with each game he plays in Union Blue.
"I think confidence is the big word for me," Skille said. "It's a big part of this game, not just for me, but for everybody. When you're playing with confidence, you have a little more jump in your step. More confidence with the puck leads to more poise and you're able to make better, stronger plays all over the ice.
"I think that's kind of where I'm at right now. When you're playing with good players and have the confidence to go with it, you're able to make stronger plays and everything gels together. Over the course of my career, when I have a lack of confidence, I'm forcing plays and rushing myself. I think it's a maturity thing now.
"I've learned not to dwell on mistakes, just play the game that got me here to this level."
When asked if he's changing or tweaking his game, with this being a contract year for him, he said, "I'm not really worried about next year right now. I'm worried about playing well for this team, doing my part and hopefully sticking around. That's all I can worry about. Those are the things I can control."
With the maturity that he's showing, he feels that Columbus will get themselves back on an even keel without getting too high or too low.
"With any good team, guys are worried about bringing whatever they have to bring to the table every single night to help that team win," he said. "It's not 'going out of their game' and trying to be something they're not.
"Personally, over the course of my career, I've caught myself doing that many times. It's trying to go east-west instead of playing a north-south game. I'm a north-south player and physical. When I'm playing physical and hanging on and protecting the puck, that's what I bring to the table. That's how I help the team.
"Every single guy knows what he has to do to help this team out. When we, each of us, focus on that and worry about working as a 5-man unit each shift, we're going to have games like we had in Toronto (6-0 win). And, we're going to be more consistent."
