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What’s a guy trying to save his career got to do to get some love?

“It’s competitive,” Skille said after a 2-1 loss to the Calgary Flames, who were outplayed by the Canucks except on the power play. “We’re making their decisions hard on them and that’s always a good thing for an organization.

“I’m sure they’re happy to see that. It’s their decision; they’re running the team. I just want to work here. I’d like to say I just work here, but I want to work here. Now, it’s just: Do what you’re told and make sure you work hard every day, treat practices like game and hope they notice. I just battle every day. I treat practices like games and treat games like it might be the last NHL game I ever play. You just want to be noticed everywhere.”

To some degree, Skille has been noticeable every day since training camp opened. There are questions about his foot speed, but there can be none about his commitment and effort.

He has 106 penalty minutes in 313 NHL games in the 11 years since the Chicago Blackhawks drafted him seventh overall. Yet, he stood up for Gaunce, who was having another strong game when he was rocked in the third period by Hathaway’s check at the Calgary blue-line.

“I didn’t see the hit,” Skille said. “I just heard it and didn’t know if it was cheap or not. But if that’s me who got hit, I’d want a teammate to stick up for me. That’s all I’m thinking — just try and be a good teammate.”

Every little bit helps these days.

Even as the Canucks reduce their roster, the competition for jobs seems to be getting broader, not narrower.