Buffalo Sabres could buyout 1000 game NHL veteran to create cap space

PUBLICATION

Josh Tupper
May 22, 2024 (10:53)

SHARE THIS STORY

The Buffalo Sabres are looking to end the longest playoff drought in professional sports, to do so they'll have to make difficult decisions including possibly buying out Jeff Skinner's contract.

It fit all the parties when Jeff Skinner was selected by the Carolina Hurricanes seventh overall in the first round of the 2010 NBA Draft. But as things do in professional hockey, you run the risk of having a team give up on you for whatever reason, in which case you'll have to move on. In the summer of 2018, Skinner encountered this situation.

After being moved to Buffalo, Skinner agreed to an eight-year, $72 million contract that at the time felt like a great deal for a young forward with so much potential. But it appears the Sabres would prefer to part ways with the 32-year-old left winger following six seasons and a startling decline in output.

The idea that the Sabres might try to move Skinner is fraught with problems. As mentioned, there has been a decline in production, but one major issue is the compensation itself. Would the Sabres forfeit something in order to sweeten the deal, or would they be prepared to eat a portion of his remaining contract? That is the query, and the response is still a mystery.

Should Skinner leave, the Sabres with its youthful core and prospects would have a chance to show what they can do and possibly the impetus to return to the postseason. It goes without saying that with him starting, players like Dylan Cozens and Jack Quinn haven't had many opportunities with the top six forward group; but, that would all change if he were to go. But how do you persuade a player that it's best to move on for the benefit of both parties when they have an absurd contract and an NMC?