The Edmonton Oilers continue to add depth scoring to their lineup. News emerged on Monday that the Jeff Skinner contract was signed by Edmonton. This deal is for one year and has a cap hit of $3 million. Skinner was recently bought out by the Buffalo Sabres in a cost-cutting move over the weekend.
WINNER WINNER JEFF SKINNER 🚨
The #Oilers have signed forward Jeff Skinner to a one-year, $3 million contract. #LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/dsxIVq97py
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) July 2, 2024
Jeff Skinner Contract Signed by Edmonton
Skinner has played for the Carolina Hurricanes and the Sabres for the length of 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 Toronto native has 357 goals and 313 assists for 670 points in 1,006 career games. Carolina originally took Skinner in the first round, seventh overall of the 2010 NHL Draft. He holds the unwanted record of playing in the most career games without a Stanley Cup Playoff appearance.
The 32-year-old is trying to change that mark, but will have to play through at least a full 82-game season before shaking off that dubious honour. However, stranger things have happened.
What It Means
Edmonton continues to make a number of moves to beef up the bottom part of its lineup. The team already added Viktor Arvidsson on a seemingly low-risk deal. Adding Skinner is a similar value play for the Oilers. Acting Oilers General Manager Jeff Jackson may not be in the post for long. However, he’s making his mark on the club known.
Skinner has a chance to prove that he can still put up a decent amount of goals. A return to form could mean that Skinner gets one last big payday before he calls it a career. He also gets the added bonus of likely ending his career-long post-season drought. Skinner is longing to play hockey into May or possibly June of 2025.
Main photo by: Daniel Bartel-USA TODAY Sports