Jeff Skinner was all smiles.The 18-year-old winger stood in front of his locker at PNC Arena (then RBC Center David Ross Jersey ) as media from all over the continent huddled around him. The 2011 NHL Skills Competition had just wrapped up. Skinner, then the age of a typical college freshman, explained what it was like to be in one of the brightest spotlights afforded to profe sional athletes.As a kid, you always want to watch the All-Star Game and the skills competition, because you always see your favorite players there, he said. You definitely dream about something like this. Its coming at me pretty fast.When the nights festivities began with player introductions, Skinner received a thunderous ovation from the hometown crowd. When he handled the puck, those in attendance many of whom donned his name and number on their backs were transfixed, ready to jump out of their seats and cheer at any opportunity. When P.K. Subbans turn in the breakaway challenge neared, Dan Boyle told the exuberant defenseman to come up with an idea to get the fans going. The two quickly agreed on what would do the trick. Subban discarded his own jersey, borrowed Skinners, and threw the No. 56 sweater over his head. The locals, predictably, went nuts.TRADE GRADES: It was a superb idea. Skinner, after all, was the talk of the town. The youngest All-Star in NHL history. The blue-chip forward whose goal-scoring Brad Wieck Jersey prowe s would lead Carolina back to glory.Ive been thinking about that weekend a lot since Thursday, . Having covered that event, as well as Skinners first three profe sional campaigns, its hard not to feel a little sad for Skinner; for the team; for a despondent fan base; for a bright, thrilling future that never came to fruition.Months after Raleighs All-Star weekend wrapped up, Skinners brilliant rookie year, which earned him the Calder Trophy, helped lead Carolina to the precipice of a playoff berth. But the Hurricanes, needing two points to finish eighth in the East, dropped their regular-season finale to the Lightning. That was the closest Skinner got to a playoff appearance with the organization that drafted him.And that is sad. Its sad because Skinner was meant to be a key part of the foundation that would finally turn the Hurricanes into a consistent, succe sful hockey club. Instead, he lost, and lost, and lost some more. The 5-11, 200-pounder is still young, but he also has a worrisome concu sion history. What a shame it would be if his best years were spent in a perpetual cycle of defeat.MORE: |Its sad because Skinner was really good in red, black and white. Since he entered the league, only 19 NHL players have more total goals. In the last two years, he lit the lamp more than Logan Couture, Taylor Hall, Victor Caratini Jersey Filip Forsberg and Phil Ke sel, among many others. One could argue Skinner didnt play enough defense, skate with enough edge or have enough mental toughne s. Id counter by saying an effective hockey team knows how to put someone of his caliber in a position to thrive even if he is James Norwood Jersey soft and easily frustrated. (Additionally, an effective hockey team doesnt make someone like Skinner play a huge chunk of his even-strength minutes next to guys like Derek Ryan and Phil Di Giuseppe.)Its sad because, while Skinner is so damn good at the most important aspect of hockey, the Hurricanes couldnt fetch a premium a set in exchange for a full year of his services.Even though Skinners no-trade clause complicated matters, they should have been able to get a better return than Cliff Pu, a second-rounder in 2019, and third- andsixth-rounders in 2020. Heres how I see it: The Hurricanes gave up a three-time 30-goal scorer in his mid-20s for an unspectacular prospect and a trio of picks that, , is unlikely to net them one regular NHLer.Its sad because Skinner was supposed to become the face of the Hurricanes when Eric Staal departed. Instead, for various reasons we will never fully understand, his relationship with the organization soured. It soured to the point where general manager Don Waddell this summer, and that a culture change was needed.Perhaps Skinner got sick of all the losing and wanted to a fresh start. It would be hard to blame him if that were true. Maybe his desire to leave would have disrupted team chemistry in 2018-19. In which case, it would be hard to blame the Hurricanes for choosing to jettison him now, as opposed to waiting for a desperate team to make a more enticing offer in March.Regardle s of how the blame should be distributed, its unfortunate this trade came to pa s. Skinners world-cla s ability can lead him to greatne s. The Hurricanes, who have a new, motivated owner and some exciting young talent, can become consistent winners as soon as next spring. Thinking back to when the phenom with an infectious smirk first took Raleigh and the league by storm, its hard not to feel disappointed the two sides wont do that together. 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