Brad Shakes. Baby Skjei. Whatever you call him, the young defender playing his first full NHL season was the brightest spot on a blue line plagued by inconsistency, incompetence, and the inexplicable whims of Alain Vigneault.
Regular followers of the blog and the podcast enjoyed watching Joe go from lamenting — loudly — the Yandle-mantle placed on the young lefty’s shoulders, to watching in wonder — also loudly — as Skjei wore it, and even outgrew it. By the end of the season, 76’s even-strength assists put him third in the league, behind only Brent Burns and Erik Karlsson.