News emerged after the NHL Draft that the Buffalo Sabres would execute the Jeff Skinner buyout. This news was confirmed by Sabres General Manager Kevyn Adams on Saturday. Skinner will become an unrestricted free agent once the buyout is completed. The buyout process can begin immediately since Skinner has a full no-movement clause.
Jeff Skinner has 3 years remaining on his contract, resulting in a buyout that would span six years.
The breakdown is as follows:
24-25: $1,444,445
25-26: $4,444,445
26-27: $6,444,445
27-28: $2,444,445
28-29: $2,444,445
29-30: $2,444,445A buyout saves #LetsGoBuffalo…
— CapFriendly (@CapFriendly) June 29, 2024
Sabres to Make Jeff Skinner Buyout Official
Skinner has played the Carolina Hurricanes and the Sabres over his 14-year NHL career. It was a down year for the Toronto native, as he scored 24 goals and 22 assists for 46 points in 74 games this season. His Corsi for was 57.8 and he had a relative Corsi of 10.4.
The 32-year-old has 357 goals and 313 assists for 670 points in 1,006 career games. Carolina originally drafted Skinner in the first round, seventh overall of the 2010 NHL Draft. He holds the dubious record of playing in the most career games without a Stanley Cup Playoff appearance.
He has represented his native Canada on the international level a number of times. Skinner has appeared in four IIHF World Championship tournaments. He helped his home nation earn a silver medal at the 2017 tournament. Skinner scored eight goals during that tournament.
What It Means
The 2011 Calder Trophy winner was scheduled to get $9 million per season over the last three years had a buyout not happened. This move allows the Sabres to earn more cap space, but it’s another big signing that didn’t pan out.
Skinner is now free to join another team. The veteran forward has had some great seasons. However, he’s yet to experience playoff hockey. He’ll probably try to get a deal with a contender to break that long streak of futility.
He could be a depth scorer for a contending team and it likely won’t be a big hit to a team’s salary cap. Skinner could finally get that taste of post-season hockey.
Main photo by: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
