Sabres buy out Skinner’s contract

The Buffalo Sabers have bought out the remainder of forward Jeff Skinner’s contract, the team announced Sunday.

Skinner, 32, had three years remaining on the eight-year, $72 million contract he signed in June 2019. As a result of the buyout, the Sabers will pay Skinner for six years, but with a salary cap reduced below its original cap of $9. million on average.

The move will provide additional salary cap space for the Sabres heading into free agency, which begins at noon Monday, July 1.