It’s time for another round of NHL rumours as we roll towards the end of the 2023-24 season. The Stanley Cup champion has yet to be decided, but teams have already gotten a head start on their off-season work. Trades and signings have been made, but that’s just only a small portion of what’s going on. There are possible buyouts on the horizon for a number of players. The Buffalo Sabres might be a team that’s going to use this tool. This edition of NHL rumours looks at one of their forwards as a possible buyout candidate.
All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
Buffalo Sabres Forward Could Get Buyout
Rumour: Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman on the Tuesday edition of The Jeff Marek Show said that Sabres forward Jeff Skinner is a possible buyout candidate.
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Analysis: The Sabres are trying to end the longest current Stanley Cup Playoff drought and General Manager Kevyn Adams is looking to make some major moves. Buffalo’s string of missing the post-season is at 13 seasons. Friedman stated its a possibility that the forward could be bought out when the window opens two days after the end of the Stanley Cup Final.
The insider mentioned that Sabres management has been mum. However, other insiders mentioned the buyout having a solid chance of happening. A buyout would pay Skinner two-thirds of his remaining salary over the next six seasons. There would be some initial savings, but there would eventually be some dead cap space. This dead cap money will be in the 2027-28 season and last until 2029-30.
Tough Choices
Adams and the team will have $30 million in cap space if the buyout is executed. The team wants to make additions to its roster and finally change its fortunes. However, the Sabres will have throw some money at prospective free agents.
Skinner did only net 24 goals and 46 points in 74 games in the 2023-24 season. He currently makes $9 million for the next three seasons. Skinner has tallied 357 goals and 670 points in 1,006 NHL games. The 32-year-old has been a good scorer at times in his career, but Buffalo wants to get the most out the team’s cap space.
Skinner’s contract could be an albatross for a roster that wants to have some flexibility. The deal was signed when Jason Botterill was the team’s general manager. Adams has tried to make some moves, but this deal seems like an anchor.
What’s Next if the Buyout Happens?
The 14-year pro has been a 30-goal scorer and even notched 40 in 2018-19. However, there’s been some down seasons mixed in with these great campaigns. It seems like the Sabres want to move and don’t want to be for some that’s had big swings in his scoring numbers.
There are also a number of exciting prospects that are itching to take Skinner’s spot in the lineup. Adams might be able to give these younger players a chance and also make some overtures when July 1 rolls around.
A team could take a chance on Skinner and hope that he can be productive. He’d be a seemingly low-cost option for a team looking for depth scoring. The Toronto native probably wouldn’t have to shoulder the load of being on the top line like he’s been on the Sabres for a number of seasons.
The longer the Stanley Cup Final between the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers goes could make the time crunch an even tighter one. Buyouts can start two days after the season is over, but teams only have until 5 p.m. June 30 before the window closes. Adams has probably already been thinking about this, but the window could be a tight one.
Main photo by: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
