Buffalo Sabres to Acquire Jeff Skinner

The Sabers will formalize the buyout of Jeff Skinner

Skinner played for the Carolina Hurricanes and Sabers during his 14 years in the NHL. It was a bad year for the Toronto native, as he scored 24 goals and had 22 assists for 46 points in 74 games this season. His Corsi was 57.8 and his relative Corsi was 10.4.

The 32-year-old has scored 357 goals and 313 assists for 670 points in 1,006 career games. Carolina drafted Skinner in the first round, seventh overall, of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. He holds the dubious record for the most career games played without a Stanley Cup Playoff appearance.

Skinner has represented his native Canada on the international stage on several occasions. He has played in four IIHF World Championship tournaments. He helped his home country win a silver medal at the 2017 tournament. Skinner scored eight goals in that tournament.

What this means

The 2011 Calder Trophy winner would have been due to make $9 million per season over the last three years if no buyout had occurred. The trade gives the Sabres more cap space, but it’s another big signing that didn’t work out.

Skinner is now free to join another team. The veteran forward has had some great seasons. However, he has yet to make the playoffs. He’ll likely try to make a deal with a contending team to end this long losing streak.

He could be a depth marker for a contending team and that probably won’t weigh heavily on a team’s salary cap. Skinner could finally get a taste of post-season hockey.