Buffalo Sabers buy out remainder of Jeff Skinner’s contract

Buffalo Sabers general manager Kevyn Adams announced Saturday that the team will buy out the remainder of winger Jeff Skinner’s contract.

The 32-year-old forward had three years remaining on his contract with a $9 million cap hit. The buyout leaves the Sabres with a cap hit of $1.44 million in 2024-25, $4.4 million in 2025-26 and peaks in the third year, when it rises to $6.44 million. The final three seasons will cost the Sabres $2.4 million per year against the cap.

Skinner can still score at a very good time, coming off a 24-goal campaign. Originally signed to an eight-year, $72 million contract by then-general manager Jason Botterill, Skinner spent the last six seasons in Buffalo and scored a total of 153 goals, including a 40-goal season in his rookie year. The shifty winger averaged 15:59 per night last season, including 2:35 per night on the power play. It won’t take long for Skinner to find a new home.

The Toronto, Ontario native will hear perspectives from a number of teams this offseason as scoring goals remains the hardest thing to do in hockey. Skinner, despite his defensive shortcomings, which obviously played a role in the Sabres’ decision, as well as the hit, can still score goals in batches. The likes of the Nashville Predators, Detroit Red Wings, New York Rangers, Toronto Maple Leafs, Calgary Flames and New York Islanders could all use more secondary scoring.

There are also the Chicago Blackhawks and San Jose Sharks looking for experienced forwards to mentor their young core. Ultimately, Skinner, who had a no-movement clause on his last contract, controls his own destiny this offseason.

As for Adams and the Sabres, buying out Skinner gives them $31.7 million in projected salary cap space, which gives Adams tons of money to work with to try to get Buffalo over the cap next season.