![]() "It's really fun to see some of those guys take some big steps," Skinner said. Skinner feels they've only scratched the surface of their potential. The Sabres saw a 16-point improvement in the standings from last season as the young core started to mature and players like Dylan Cozens, Rasmus Dahlin and Alex Tuch enjoyed career-years. "Obviously we have good hockey players, but I think the people are good quality people and I think that's what makes us tight as a team and it's going to improve us on the ice as well." "I think for us we've got a really good mix of guys, good personalities," Skinner said. Video: Skinner pushes the Sabres to victory in OT The atmosphere in the Sabres dressing room has taken a 180-degree turn under the regime of general manager Kevyn Adams and Granato, allowing personalities like Skinner's to flourish. Skinner has always had a way with words, even if he may seem a bit bashful in how he conveys them. "They finally started putting in my passes in," Skinner quipped. While he's always been known as a goal scorer, rounding out his game was a point of emphasis for Skinner this year. Skinner's 47 helpers were the most he's recorded in a single year by far. "He sort of works in that gray area really well." "I think it's a really delicate balance when you have a young team to kind of instill confidence while keeping that accountability," Skinner said. The trust he's instilled in not just Skinner, but all of his players, allowed the collective to flourish this season. ![]() From a production standpoint, his numbers had flatlined until Don Granato arrived. ![]() Whatever level Skinner elevates his game to next season is anyone's guess. "I think there's still some room for improvement in my game," Skinner said. ![]()
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