Friedman: Jeff Skinner Buyout is a possibility.

[DJN21]

They are likely going to need his cap space next offseason to sign all of their RFAs, so the writing is on the wall.

A lot of posters feel that if Skinner is not in the top 6, he shouldn't be in the lineup, and he leaves a lot to be desired on the defensive side of the puck (all legitimate concerns). GM Kevyn Adams is talking about adding a top 6 talent, and with Tuch, Thompson, Pertka, Quinn and Cozens already here, Skinner would be the odd man out (He was demoted to finish the season this past year, so it feels like the natural decision.) Add that his cap hit is so high, a buy out now starts to make some sense.

I've not taken a firm stance one way or another on a Skinner buyout yet which makes me odd man out for Sabres regular posters.

A thought that occurs to me however and bear with me....pick a random top 6 upgrade....idc...Necas, Debrusk, Kane....whatever. Gimme their average salary you see them getting.

Now add that year ontop of year for the next 6 to Skinner's buyout total. Im genuinely curious not being a jerk. I wanna see how it compares from a monetary standpoint.

If in 3 years I'm paying Necas 8 mill and Skinner 6 mill in buyout money then that is ridiculous to me.

 

[Irie]

I've not taken a firm stance one way or another on a Skinner buyout yet which makes me odd man out for Sabres regular posters.

A thought that occurs to me however and bear with me....pick a random top 6 upgrade....idc...Necas, Debrusk, Kane....whatever. Gimme their average salary you see them getting.

Now add that year ontop of year for the next 6 to Skinner's buyout total. Im genuinely curious not being a jerk. I wanna see how it compares from a monetary standpoint.

If in 3 years I'm paying Necas 8 mill and Skinner 6 mill in buyout money then that is ridiculous to me.

That is why I believe that if there is indeed a Skinner buyout, that Adams will not spend the cap anyhow.

I've always said that a buyout in 2025 makes a lot of sense, but I think the buyout might happen this offseason now with the coaching change because:

1. Skinner is costing the team nearly as many chances on D as he is generating on O
2. Ruff wants more accountability from his forwards than was present under Granato, and he believes Skinner is not a great fit
3. Pegula is on board with saving himself 7.5M in real dollars this year that the buyout would produce (may be partial savings if Skinners replacement is brought in from outside, although I expect Peterka to take his spot on the top line, and then an ELC or a lesser top six caphit to be acquired for the 2nd line).

I think the posters who are salivating at the idea of Skinner being bought out and then Adams spending the cap to maximize this years' roster are setting themselves up for disappointment.

 

[TehDoak]

Skinner has seasons of 33 goals, 30 assists, 35, goals 47 assists and 24 goals and 22 assists last three. His crap years were under Krueger. Yeah, Cozens has more upside but the argument with Skinner is what will we get for the difference in value. One year seems like a slam dunk. And the three years added on end are just dumb. His $9 M contract is blinding people. If it was the NFL, dump him. The NHL has. hard cap with specific buyout roles. Those rules are the reality.

Skinner got special treatment under Granato because they simply didn't have any other options. When Granato had to demote him he simply stopped producing, period.

It's 100% predictable what is going to happen to Skinner under Ruff. Whatever his salary is, it doesn't matter. Take Skinner out and insert a guy who produces 15 goals and an honest two way effort would be a huge net positive in the W column.

 

[DJN21]

That is why I believe that if there is indeed a Skinner buyout, that Adams will not spend the cap anyhow.

I've always said that a buyout in 2025 makes a lot of sense, but I think the buyout might happen this offseason now with the coaching change because:

1. Skinner is costing the team nearly as many chances on D as he is generating on O
2. Ruff wants more accountability from his forwards than was present under Granato, and he believes Skinner is not a great fit
3. Pegula is on board with saving himself 7.5M in real dollars this year that the buyout would produce (may be partial savings if Skinners replacement is brought in from outside, although I expect Peterka to take his spot on the top line, and then an ELC or a lesser top six caphit to be acquired for the 2nd line).

I think the posters who are salivating at the idea of Skinner being bought out and then Adams spending the cap to maximize this years' roster are setting themselves up for disappointment.

I'm just saying, I hear what you're saying but tell me what other answer for a top 6 forward there is? I'm not seeing it. Skinner kinda sucks in many ways but double paying to produce what he can offensively seems short and long sighted in negative ways. Buying out 30 goals is stupid. Keep 30 goals and a black hole otherwise is dumb too. Trading for/signing a forward for 6-9mill to replace him and adding his buyout price seems like the stupidest choice of all.

 

[Sweetpotato]

Oilers offer him peanuts to play beside Connor or Leon to cash in.

 

[LongWayDown37]

I’d recommend you do some research on No Movement Clauses so you can answer your own question

Thanks professor, gosh I never heard of a NMC... They should be exploring finding a situation he'd waive. Otherwise, I'd rather eat the cap hit - at the very least for another year.

 

[HogtownSabresfan]

Trading for/signing a forward for 6-9mill to replace him and adding his buyout price seems like the stupidest choice of all.

That's why we might do it. I do think just saving the money could be a real thing.

 

[HogtownSabresfan]

Thanks professor, gosh I never heard of a NMC... They should be exploring finding a situation he'd waive. Otherwise, I'd rather eat the cap hit - at the very least for another year.

These people are as simplistic as the management in Buffalo. Yes, he has an NMC, and obviously, that is a card that can be played, but there are other realities one can make a guy like Skinner see. I remember when people said the Sabres had to do exactly what Taylor Hall demanded (and got all of a 53rd for him despite a $4 M retention). Like they didn't have another option -- play hardball and tell Hall to be more flexible, or we won't trade you to anyone. He needed a trade as much as Buffalo to get his next contract. GMKA has learned on the job, and it showed with the Eichel deal, to a degree. He was more patient. I question how patient Mr. Pegula will be.

 

[tsujimoto74]

That is why I believe that if there is indeed a Skinner buyout, that Adams will not spend the cap anyhow.

I've always said that a buyout in 2025 makes a lot of sense, but I think the buyout might happen this offseason now with the coaching change because:

1. Skinner is costing the team nearly as many chances on D as he is generating on O
2. Ruff wants more accountability from his forwards than was present under Granato, and he believes Skinner is not a great fit
3. Pegula is on board with saving himself 7.5M in real dollars this year that the buyout would produce (may be partial savings if Skinners replacement is brought in from outside, although I expect Peterka to take his spot on the top line, and then an ELC or a lesser top six caphit to be acquired for the 2nd line).

I think the posters who are salivating at the idea of Skinner being bought out and then Adams spending the cap to maximize this years' roster are setting themselves up for disappointment.

I mean, there are people clamoring for us to buy our Skinner and pay a ton of money to another one-way winger like Kane or Necas, and I can’t imagine how that helps the team either get better on the ice or improve its cap posture.

 

[LongWayDown37]

These people are as simplistic as the management in Buffalo. Yes, he has an NMC, and obviously, that is a card that can be played, but there are other realities one can make a guy like Skinner see. I remember when people said the Sabres had to do exactly what Taylor Hall demanded (and got all of a 53rd for him despite a $4 M retention). Like they didn't have another option -- play hardball and tell Hall to be more flexible, or we won't trade you to anyone. He needed a trade as much as Buffalo to get his next contract. GMKA has learned on the job, and it showed with the Eichel deal, to a degree. He was more patient. I question how patient Mr. Pegula will be.

Not to mention, people seem to forget that Skinner, himself, waived a NMC when he came to Buffalo... Yes, its something that has to be dealt with. But it can be dealt with - Kevin Adams should be doing everything under his power to make that happen. A buy out of Skinner is a terrible deal for the Sabres.

 

[Doug Prishpreed]

I mean, there are people clamoring for us to buy our Skinner and pay a ton of money to another one-way winger like Kane or Necas, and I can’t imagine how that helps the team either get better on the ice or improve its cap posture.

A lot of people said Sabres would've made the playoffs if their PP was good last year. Skinner was bad on the PP and Kane would be good. That's an improved team.

Kane would only be signed short term, for say 2 years, leaving just as Tuch needs a new contract. That's an improved cap posture.

 

[HogtownSabresfan]

A lot of people said Sabres would've made the playoffs if their PP was good last year. Skinner was bad on the PP and Kane would be good. That's an improved team.

Kane would only be signed short term, for say 2 years, leaving just as Tuch needs a new contract. That's an improved cap posture.

Who says Kane/Skinner cannot both be on team in 2024/25?

 

[Doug Prishpreed]

Who says Kane/Skinner cannot both be on team in 2024/25?

You can, but it would be dumb imo because of the salary cap. Buffalo has a lot of RFAs to sign and a lot of holes to fill. Only like 8 forwards are signed for next year so far.

You can technically fit them both, but the team would be awful with no role players that don't suck, and two one-way specialist forwards taking up like 20% of the cap.

 

[HogtownSabresfan]

You can, but it would be dumb imo because of the salary cap. Buffalo has a lot of RFAs to sign and a lot of holes to fill. Only like 8 forwards are signed for next year so far.

You can technically fit them both, but the team would be awful with no role players that don't suck, and two one-way specialist forwards taking up like 20% of the cap.

The cap relief from Skinner is not much other than 2024-25. And then three years of $2.44 M get added at the end. Buying Skinner out doesn't create much affordability. Get me talent. Kane still has some. Ruff should be able to figure it out. Plus, this assumption Pegula will spend $88 M... I'll believe that when I see it.

Not to mention, people seem to forget that Skinner, himself, waived a NMC when he came to Buffalo... Yes, its something that has to be dealt with. But it can be dealt with - Kevin Adams should be doing everything under his power to make that happen. A buy out of Skinner is a terrible deal for the Sabres.

Yes, one can negotiate. The buyout idea will create a perfect circle for one of the worst contracts in team history

 

[tsujimoto74]

A lot of people said Sabres would've made the playoffs if their PP was good last year. Skinner was bad on the PP and Kane would be good. That's an improved team.

Kane would only be signed short term, for say 2 years, leaving just as Tuch needs a new contract. That's an improved cap posture.

Our PP wasn’t bad because we lack the personnel for it; it was bad because Matt Ellis was coaching it.

 

[Beerz]

A lot of people said Sabres would've made the playoffs if their PP was good last year. Skinner was bad on the PP and Kane would be good. That's an improved team.

Kane would only be signed short term, for say 2 years, leaving just as Tuch needs a new contract. That's an improved cap posture.

Skinner was the 2nd leading goal scorer on the PP with 8... Tage Thompson had 9 to lead it.

But yes.. Skinner was the problem for the Sabres PP .

Think there was a bigger reason for PP failure.

 

[HogtownSabresfan]

Our PP wasn’t bad because we lack the personnel for it; it was bad because Matt Ellis was coaching it.

I don't know if it was all Ellis because Granato took over supposedly, but you are 110% right. The talent is there. The PP just could not set up, gain the zone, and always lost faceoffs. Just no excuse with the personnel we had. The team would have been a borderline playoff team with an average PP. And you can add to the stat line of all the top players with a decent PP. Their seasons would not look as bad.

Our PP was woeful to watch and throw in shorthanded goals and it was shocking.

Skinner was the 2nd leading goal scorer on the PP with 8... Tage Thompson had 9 to lead it.

But yes.. Skinner was the problem for the Sabres PP .

Think there was a bigger reason for PP failure.

No joke. People keep talking themselves into Skinner was the problem.

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

I don't know if it was all Ellis because Granato took over supposedly, but you are 110% right. The talent is there. The PP just could not set up, gain the zone, and always lost faceoffs. Just no excuse with the personnel we had. The team would have been a borderline playoff team with an average PP. And you can add to the stat line of all the top players with a decent PP. Their seasons would not look as bad.

Our PP was woeful to watch and throw in shorthanded goals and it was shocking.



No joke. People keep talking themselves into Skinner was the problem.

I don't think anybody truly believes that.

 

[Sabresruletheschool]

If I were coaching Skinner, I'd never let him see the ice unless we were down a few goals with time running out. That and maybe the PP. Otherwise he'd ride the bench.

 

[Ace]

If I were coaching Skinner, I'd never let him see the ice unless we were down a few goals with time running out. That and maybe the PP. Otherwise he'd ride the bench.

He is an abysmal PP player. Multiple coaches have wasted years watching him turn it over, fail to gain the zone and/or throw weak shots for easy stops before realizing he has to come off it

 

[BowieSabresFan]

The power play had a few issues last year, and Skinner was definitely one of the major ones. His limited skill set is just not suited to the power play.

 

[Djp]

They are likely going to need his cap space next offseason to sign all of their RFAs, so the writing is on the wall.

I'm not seeing a problem. Unless the swing big

I'm just saying, I hear what you're saying but tell me what other answer for a top 6 forward there is? I'm not seeing it. Skinner kinda sucks in many ways but double paying to produce what he can offensively seems short and long sighted in negative ways. Buying out 30 goals is stupid. Keep 30 goals and a black hole otherwise is dumb too. Trading for/signing a forward for 6-9mill to replace him and adding his buyout price seems like the stupidest choice of all.

I'm not interested in buying him out and then replacing him with a high contract

That's why we might do it. I do think just saving the money could be a real thing.

If they keep skinner this year,

His last 2 seasons his salary is below cap amt so teams will be attracted to that with $18M cap but only $12M in owed salary

 

[MOGlLNY]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1805947107246817646

It's done

 

[elchud]

Yay

 

[GKJ]

It’s time for everyone to move on