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 most likely, no less than it reached my ears, about three or 4 days in the past. And the robust factor is, is that you already know, the Sabres aren’t saying something. He’s represented by Don Meehan. Don Meehan’s conserving quiet about it.
And what another person stated 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.
NHL Rumors: San Jose Sharks, and the Buffalo Sabres
So, you already know, that’s, you already know, however I do suppose it was going to get out. It was you already know, one thing that increasingly more individuals had been speaking about.
Now, you already know, somebody stated to me, why don’t the Sabres ask him to waive his no-move clause and the factor is, is that if you happen to’re Jeff Skinner on this scenario and you already know, 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 most likely higher for you, except you’re completely satisfied that Buffalo can commerce you to a spot you need to go. It’s most likely 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 already know, 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 far more management over the scenario as an unrestricted free agent, getting to choose his vacation spot at his wage.
So I feel that’s why Buffalo is form of on this place. The opposite attention-grabbing factor about it, there’s a pair, primary for subsequent yr 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 yr is big yr for the Sabres.
The opposite factor that form 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 additionally a top-six ahead if they might.
And you already know, Skinner, he had 24 objectives final yr, he scored 40 earlier than, he scored 30 earlier than. I do know the large knock on him is you already know, 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 extremely, actually attention-grabbing transfer by the Sabres that may give them a ton of flexibility for subsequent yr ought to it occur. However, you already know, I at all times attempt to watch out with what I say except 100% know, so I can’t say 100% it’s gonna occur however it’s undoubtedly on the market. And I feel we’re simply ready to see if Buffalo makes a ultimate choice.”
NHL Rumors: 12 Potential Buyout Candidates This Offseason
Jeff Skinner has 3 years @ $9M Cap Hit remaining.
The buyout cap hit is:
12 months 1 $1.44M
12 months 2 $4.44M
12 months 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
