The Ottawa Senators released their training camp roster today, and while it contained most of the expected names—including Erik Karlsson despite continuing rumors of his trade availability—there was one that stood out. Jack Skille, veteran of 368 NHL contests, will join the Senators camp on a professional tryout in hopes of another chance in North America.
Skille, 31, played in the KHL last season where he recorded 25 points in 41 games. The seventh-overall pick from 2005 last played in the NHL for the Vancouver Canucks in 2016-17, and has also suited up for the Colorado Avalanche, Columbus Blue Jackets, Florida Panthers and Chicago Blackhawks during his career. Once a top prospect, Skille now represents a potential depth option for the Senators at the bottom of their lineup.
Perhaps one of the “new” players that owner Eugene Melnyk was talking about, Skille could actually represent a fine veteran option for a team in the midst of a rebuild. Though he’s shown very little offensive upside at the NHL level, he obviously possesses enough skill to play in the league and actually posted positive possession numbers in his small sample with Vancouver. Ottawa is looking for bodies to fill up the lineup as they sell off expiring assets, and Skille could earn himself a short-term contract.