NHL Rumors: Are the Buffalo Sabres Considering A couple of Jeff Skinner Buyout?

Sportsnet: Elliotte Friedman and Jeff Marek on 32 Ideas: The Podcast – The Rat Pack Is Dragged Again to Edmonton episode, on the rumors surrounding a possible Jeff Skinner buyout in Buffalo.

** NHLRumors.com transcription

Friedman: “So that is one thing that has been floating round hockey circles for in all probability, a minimum of it reached my ears, about three or 4 days in the past. And the powerful factor is, is that you understand, the Sabres aren’t saying something. He’s represented by Don Meehan. Don Meehan’s conserving quiet about it.

And what another person mentioned to me was that it’s a must to watch out as a result of the buyout window doesn’t start till 48 hours after the Stanley Cup is awarded, so issues can at all times change.

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So, you understand, that’s, you understand, however I do assume it was going to get out. It was you understand, one thing that an increasing number of folks have been speaking about.

Now, you understand, somebody mentioned to me, why don’t the Sabres ask him to waive his no-move clause and the factor is, is that in the event you’re Jeff Skinner on this scenario and you understand, the Sabres might need to transfer on from you, (a) you need to management issues. That’s what you need to do. You need to be accountable for the scenario. So it’s, so it’s in all probability higher for you, until you’re completely satisfied that Buffalo can commerce you to a spot you need to go. It’s in all probability higher so that you can say no, simply wait, simply purchase me out. And let me go to a spot that I need to go.

And secondly, you understand, his contract is $9 million. If we go to a scenario the place he’s an unrestricted free agent, he can take his buyout, which is two-thirds of $22 million over six years, and he can decide it at no matter wage he desires. Skinner has way more management over the scenario as an unrestricted free agent, getting to select his vacation spot at his wage.

So I feel that’s why Buffalo is sort of on this place. The opposite attention-grabbing factor about it, there’s a pair, primary for subsequent 12 months his cap hit could be underneath $1.5 million utilizing Capitals Pleasant. And so it will give Buffalo an additional $7.5 million {dollars} of cap room. And subsequent 12 months is big 12 months for the Sabres.

The opposite factor that sort of me about it, too, is that they’re searching for, they’re believed to be searching for a few forwards. One, a kind of edgier, depth items that we’ve been speaking about, but in addition a top-six ahead if they may.

And you understand, Skinner, he had 24 targets final 12 months, he scored 40 earlier than, he scored 30 earlier than. I do know the large knock on him is you understand, he’s performed it that over 1000 video games, he’s by no means made the playoffs, however he can rating.

So it’s a very, actually attention-grabbing transfer by the Sabres that can give them a ton of flexibility for subsequent 12 months ought to it occur. However, you understand, I at all times attempt to watch out with what I say until 100% know, so I can’t say 100% it’s gonna occur nevertheless it’s positively on the market. And I feel we’re simply ready to see if Buffalo makes a ultimate choice.”

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Jeff Skinner has 3 years @ $9M Cap Hit remaining.

The buyout cap hit is:

Yr 1 $1.44M
Yr 2 $4.44M
Yr 3 $6.44M
Years 4 to six $2.44Mhttps://t.co/hloPsI3yZL https://t.co/o7iybuf1GL pic.twitter.com/vZecPUaBlC

— PuckPedia (@PuckPedia) June 18, 2024

Commerce and buyout rumours beginning to swirl round Jeff Skinner. #LetsGoBuffalo pic.twitter.com/ZPoKuku21n

— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) June 18, 2024