Krueger indicates Jeff Skinner being scratched for more than just his on-ice play

In just year two of his eight year contract paying him $9 million per season, Jeff Skinner will be a healthy scratch for the Buffalo Sabres for the third game in a row Thursday. Skinner had a great year his first season in Buffalo, scoring 40 goals and 63 points in 2018-19. Since then, it's been all down hill and he has just one point, an assist, in 14 games this season.

Asked Thursday when Skinner might get out of his dog house, Sabres coach Ralph Krueger insisted he doesn't have one.

"I don't know, really, what that is," said Krueger.

Krueger did, however, indicate there are things at play that haven't been made public.

"I'd love to share everything all the time with everybody," Krueger continued. "You guys know I want to be transparent. But there are certain things that evolve in the development of a team or an organization or a group behind the scenes. And every decision is made for the whole group."

Buffalo has won two of its last three games and Krueger stated the current mix of 12 forwards that he is using is the best for the team right now.

"And my job, combined with the work-ethic and attitude of a player, is to work together to find the potential of the player," he said.

"And when Jeff's called upon again, may we drive him closer to his potential, working together on that solution."

He added that he feels his line-up decisions right now are more for the players making it in than against the players that are not.

Meanwhile, Skinner's agent told the Buffalo News that he had a lengthy conversation with GM Kevyn Adams Wednesday. Don Meehan said he expressed is concerns with the current situation, but declined to go into detail.

Buffalo takes on the New Jersey Devils Thursday night beginning at 8 PM ET.