Potential buy-out candidates: 40-goal scorer up for grabs on free agency?

PUBLICATION

Cooper Godin
June 18, 2024 (1:20 PM)

SHARE THIS STORY

A veteran Buffalo Sabres forward may be a buyout candidate in the coming days once the window opens 48 hours following the end of the Stanley Cup Final.

During Tuesday's edition of 'The Jeff Marek Show', Jeff Marek mentioned that Buffalo Sabres forward Jeff Skinner's name has been whispered as a potential buyout candidate this summer.

"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."

Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman was then asked to give his opinion on the topic and said that he does think it's possible that Jeff Skinner is bought out this summer and that there has been rumblings around the league to suggest that.

Friedman went on to add that Skinner's buyout would be a significant one, lasting a total of six years, but the Sabres would get relief on the cap immediately, saying that his cap hit for 2024-25 would be $1.5 million, saving Buffalo $7.5 million, which they could use to address other areas of need this summer.

"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."

If Skinner does get bought out int he coming days, this is a player that Patrik Allvin and the Vancouver Canucks should consider signing. He would be a solid depth piece with the ability to play up and down in the line-up, as well as on the powerplay. Skinner is coming off a bit of a down year, but still recorded his tenth-career 20+ goal season, which if he's able to do that for the Canucks, would replace the output of pending UFAs Teddy Blueger and Sam Lafferty, who combined for 19 goals in 2023-24.

Should the Canucks try to sign Jeff Skinner if he is bought out and becomes a UFA? Let us know what you think in the poll below.