Flyers expected to sign Jeff Skinner if Buffalo buys out contract

Jeff Skinner was one of the hottest names in free agency a few years ago. Or at least he would have been. The Carolina Hurricanes traded their star center to the Buffalo Sabers for three draft picks. Buffalo, a team that hadn’t made the playoffs since Barack Obama was still in his first term, hoped Skinner could revitalize the young group.

So the NHL world was stunned when he signed an eight-year extension to play for a sixth-ranked team. He’s not from Buffalo, so there’s no tie. However, he signed with the Sabers anyway. Since then, Buffalo has twice finished as high as fifth in the Atlantic Division.

The Sabers are looking to improve their team. There are several free agents they could use this offseason. However, Skinner’s $9 million per season salary is high. The Sabers have three more years on this. As a result, it’s possible they buy him back.

Skinner is no longer the extraordinary striker he once was. Let’s be fair though. It’s not like the Sabers have surrounded him with talent (outside of Tage Thompson and Alex Tuch). And even though Skinner just turned 32, he’s two years removed from his career-high 47 assists. Skinner scored 24 goals last season. In his previous two, he scored 33 and 37 goals respectively.

If he becomes available, the Flyers would have to kick the tires on him. A center like Skinner could help turn this team around. Likewise, if the Flyers signed him, he could be cheaper than most top-tier free agents. He could cost the team between $6 million and $7 million. On a one to two year contract, it could be worth it. He could also be traded to a team that could use a center to make the playoffs and thus add assets to the Flyers’ rebuild.

Skinner is a courageous player. Having him at center would give the Flyers three solid veteran centers when added to Sean Couturier and Scott Laughton. This could be one of the strongest center corps in the league.

As teams prepare to buy out players, it will be interesting to see who becomes available. Hopefully the Flyers can benefit from a solid player. Skinner would certainly fit that bill.