Former Sabres players Jeff Skinner and Zemgus Girgensons sign with new teams

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — Buffalo Sabres fans will have to get used to seeing two longtime players wearing new uniforms next season. Forwards Jeff Skinner and Zemgus Girgensons have officially signed with new teams.

Skinner is heading west on a one-year, $3 million contract with the Edmonton Oilers. The forward played six seasons in Buffalo before the team decided to buy out the remainder of his contract on June 29. The 32-year-old was Buffalo’s highest-paid forward. He joins a team that was one win away from winning the Stanley Cup last season.

His former teammate, Zemgus Girgensons, is heading south, signing a three-year deal with the Tampa Bay Lightning worth $850,000. Girgensons spent the last decade with Buffalo, arriving as the 14th overall pick in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. He has served as an alternate captain the last three seasons and has played in 688 career games.