Insiders discuss possibility of Sabres forward Jeff Skinner being bought out

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Cooper Godin
June 18, 2024 (4:27 PM)

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The NHL's buyout window may be just two days away from opening, if the Panthers win the Stanley Cup tonight, and an interesting name has emerged as a candidate.

During Tuesday's episode of 'The Jeff Marek Show', Sportsnet's Jeff Marek and Elliotte Friedman discussed the possibility of the Buffalo Sabres buying out veteran forward Jeff Skinner this summer.

Marek started the segment by mentioning that there are whispers out there suggesting that Jeff Skinner is a potential buyout candidate when the window opens 48 hours after the Stanley Cup is handed out.

"If the Cup is awarded tonight, then the buyout window opens 48 hours afterwards and a couple of names we are wondering about." Jeff Marek said.

He added, "It's kind of been whispered for a while now and I'm curious your thoughts on this one. I'll throw a dart and throw the name Jeff Skinner, Buffalo Sabres out there."

Elliotte Friedman went on to say that there are rumblings around the National Hockey League that Jeff Skinner's contract being bought out is a real possibility and the Buffalo Sabres would get cap relief right away once it would be completed.

Friedman mentioned that in the first year of Skinner's potential six-year buyout, his cap hit with the Buffalo Sabres would only be $1.5 million, saving the organization $7.5 million that could be allocated to other areas of need in free agency as of Canada Day or in a trade.

"Well there's a reason you're throwing that dart and we've been talking about it for the last couple of days. I do think it's possible. I don't think, you know obviously nobody here is talking, as you said that it's 48 hours after the Stanley Cup Final ends. But there's some rumblings around the league that that is a possibility. Now, it's a six-year buyout, Skinner has three-years remaining on his deal. I think he's got $22 million in salary remaining on his deal, so it would be two-thirds the money over six years." Friedman said.

He added, "But the one thing that stands out is that next season, like there's one year that's really big, I think there's one year that $6.5 million, but the rest of it, especially if the cap goes where it's supposed to go, it'll be very manageable. But the one thing that stands out is that next year would give them a $7.5 million relief. His cap hit next season would be just under $1.5 million as opposed to $9 million and next year is a big year for the Sabres. That's why it raises a lot of eyebrows. Like I said, the Sabres aren't talking and nobody is really talking here, but the word is definitely out there that a Skinner buyout is a possibility."

Skinner, 32, has appeared in 1,006 career games in the NHL with Carolina and Buffalo and has yet to play in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, so there's no doubt he'd like to play for a contending team.

The Toronto native is coming off the tenth 20+ goal season of his career in the National Hockey League and could be an interesting depth piece for a contending team on a lower term and much lower cap hit than his current $9 million. If he does get bought out and becomes an unrestricted free agent on July 1st, there could be plenty of interest in Jeff Skinner and he may not be available for very long before putting pen to paper on a new deal.