Sabers Rumors: Jeff Skinner’s days in Buffalo could be numbered – NHL Trade Rumors

The Buffalo Sabers are desperate to take the next big step in the 2024-25 season and, according to reports, they are considering a bold move that they believe would help them get there.

Sportsnet @FriedgeHNIC on the @JeffMarek Show says it’s possible that the #Sabers could buy Jeff Skinner when the window opens 48 hours after the Cup is awarded.

– Michael Augello (@MikeInBuffalo) June 18, 2024

Insider Elliotte Friedman suggests the Sabers could reacquire seven-time 30-goal scorer Jeff Skinner when the window opens 48 hours after the Stanley Cup is handed out.

There have been rumors around the league that (the Jeff Skinner buyout) would be a possibility. … The Sabers aren’t talking and no one is really talking here, but the rumor is clearly circulating that for Skinner, a buyout is a possibility.

With three years remaining on a $9 million cap hit, that would be costly, at more than $19.6 million over the six-year cap spread. But Skinner’s total no-movement clause would make it very difficult to trade him to the Sabres.

The $7.5 million in savings against the cap this season and the $4.5 million in savings next season could well be worth a buyout for the Sabres.

New (former) head coach Lindy Ruff wants to emphasize defense, which has never been Skinner’s strong suit, and with cap space limited as the Sabers try to improve this offseason, this huge ceiling hit is a huge obstacle.

Skinner, the former Calder Trophy winner as the top rookie in 2010-11 with the Carolina Hurricanes, had 35 goals and a career-high 82 points with Buffalo as recently as the 2022 season. 23, but dropped to 24 goals and 46 points in 74 games last year. During his career, he distinguished himself 357 goals and 313 assists for 670 points in 1,006 games.

Skinner has never reached the playoffs in his 14 seasons in the NHL, and if the Sabers finally break through next campaign, he may not be around to enjoy it.

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