Canucks Sign Jack Skille to One-Year Contract

The Canucks announced today that they have come to terms with former PTO winger Jack Skille, signing him to a one-year, one-way deal worth $700,000. Skille impressed the Canucks brass during training camp with his physical play and energetic battle levels. He comes at the cost of Emerson Etem, who was claimed this morning on waivers by the Anaheim Ducks, after the Canucks waived Etem yesterday to make room for him.

Skille was drafted seventh overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in 2005, after scoring more than a point per game with the U.S. National Team Development Program in his draft year. A physical engaging winger with size and a decent shot, Skille never lived up to the expectations that his high draft position created for him. After scoring 25 points in 79 games with the Hawks over four seasons, he was shipped off to the Florida Panthers prior to the 2011 trade deadline. Since then, he has also spent time in Columbus and Colorado, compiling a total of 75 points in 313 NHL contests.

He came to the Canucks on a PTO, giving the memorable line that he’d “chew through rope” to make the team. I’m assuming he didn’t actually have to do that, but clearly something about the way Skille played during the exhibition season endeared him to the Canucks. It certainly wasn’t his production, of which there was none, but he received compliments on his aggressive style and work ethic.

As mentioned, Skille didn’t pick up any points during the preseason, but he did hold his own possession-wise, with a Corsi-for percentage of 50.7 at 5-on-5, albeit while starting 61 percent of non-neutral faceoffs in the offensive zone.

My personal choice for signing a PTO would have been Tuomo Ruutu. He doesn’t have the size or snarl as Skille, but he showed more offensive potential, scoring a nice goal – while killing a penalty no less. He also has the advantage of positional flexibility, being able to play both centre and the wing. Ruutu had a 52.6 Corsi-for percentage at evens, with an offensive-zone start ratio of 41 percent.

With the addition of Skille, the Canucks opening night roster is now set. This is of course not the same as their official opening roster, which had to be submitted on Tuesday. That one contained Emerson Etem, who had to be surgically removed from the roster before Skille could be added.

I have no problem with the Canucks waiving Etem – he was objectively bad in preseason, and this is supposed to be a meritocracy – though I do wonder why they didn’t make that decision a few days earlier. Etem could have been waived on the same day as 30 other players, including high profile names like Teemu Pulkkinen, Seth Griffith, and P.A. Parenteau, all of whom were claimed. Instead, the Canucks waited until the waiver wire was completely clear, and even broadcast the day before that they intended to waive him, given the league nearly 48 hours to think about Etem, with no other players to consider. That strikes me as ill-advised.

Regardless, it was bad luck that he got claimed, and the fact that he made it as far as Anaheim (roughly 25 teams deep) is an indication that most of the league passed on taking him for free. Still, it’s depth that was lost for nothing. It’s unfortunate.

Back to Skille, who was given the day off today to get his living arrangements in order.

My sympathies to Emerson Etem, who now has to move just weeks after becoming a father. That’s an unfortunate spot to be in, though it is part of the job.

It’s unclear at this point where Skille will slot into the final lineup, or whether he’ll be a healthy scratch for Vancouver’s first game on Saturday (I’d wager yes on that). His best fit would be on the fourth line, possibly in place of Derek Dorsett (who I’m sure Willie won’t scratch) or Alex Burrows, though sitting youngins like Brendan Gaunce or Jake Virtanen and shuffling these weird lines is also a possibility.

I don’t get Bo Horvat as a 4C separated from Baertschi, but what do I know.

As mentioned, Skille costs the Canucks $700,000 against the cap, for this season only. As it is a one-way deal, Skille will get the same paycheque whether he is in the National League, or the American League.