Sample size absolutley matters. Look at the value Rangers fans were attributing to Skjej after his first season.
Don't group all of us into that.
Many of us didn't think Skjei was going to ever be better than a middle pairing defenseman. Skjei had a very fluky rookie season. He compiled a number of secondary assists that he didn't contribute much to. He got a PP role and compiled points on that PP, even though he wasn't good on the PP, and after that season didn't play the PP. His defense that season was highly suspect, and he was very sheltered. He was a third pairing defenseman with very easy assignments.
Fox is currently a top pairing defenseman rather easily. He's probably a 1D, given the season he's had. Trying to compare Skjei and Fox is a joke.