Insiders reveals former 40 goal scorer could be bought out

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Josh Tupper
June 18, 2024 (4:43 PM)

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If the Panthers win the Stanley Cup tonight, the NHL's buyout window might open in just two days, and a compelling candidate has surfaced.

In the latest installment of 'The Jeff Marek Show' on Tuesday, Elliotte Friedman and Jeff Marek of Sportsnet talked about the potential for the Buffalo Sabres to acquire veteran forward Jeff Skinner this summer.

When the window opens 48 hours after the Stanley Cup is awarded, Jeff Skinner may be a target for a buyout, according to rumors that Marek mentioned at the beginning of the episode.

"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 continued by saying that there are whispers in the National Hockey League that the Buffalo Sabres could receive immediate cap relief upon the completion of Jeff Skinner's contract buyout.

Friedman stated that Skinner's budget cost with the Buffalo Sabres in the first year of his possible six-year buyout would only be $1.5 million, saving the team $7.5 million that could be used in a trade or for other areas of need in free agency as of Canada Day.

"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 played in 1,006 NHL games with Buffalo and Carolina in his career. He hasn't participated in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, so it goes without saying that he would want to be a member of a competing team.

The Toronto native, who just finished his eleventh season with 20 or more goals in the NHL, may make an intriguing depth addition for a team looking to compete, if he were to sign a shorter contract with a smaller budget charge than his current $9 million. If Jeff Skinner is bought out and becomes an unrestricted free agent on July 1st, he might not be available for very long before signing a new contract because of the high level of interest in him.

Source: Blade of Steel
Insiders discuss possibility of Sabres forward Jeff Skinner being bought out