The Buffalo Sabres will get an extra protection slot at this month’s expansion draft after Jeff Skinner agreed to waive his no-movement clause according to John Vogl of The Athletic. Sabres GM Kevyn Adams requested it on Tuesday morning and Skinner agreed, allowing the team to protect an extra forward.
Skinner, 29, is an unlikely target for the Seattle Kraken, given his high price and poor production the last two seasons. Since signing an eight-year, $72MM contract in 2019, the winger has scored just 21 goals and 37 points in 112 games. He had just 14 points this past season, spending much of it on the fourth line. His no-movement clause would have forced the Sabres to protect him over a player like Rasmus Asplund, who is a more likely target for expansion.
This is a pretty big gesture of good faith from Skinner, who certainly didn’t need to waive a clause that the Sabres knowingly gave him just two years ago. The move does not waive the clause for the purpose of a trade, only to stop the automatic protection in the draft. But still, selfishly, it may have benefitted Skinner to see the Sabres lose a younger player like Asplund or Anders Bjork who could be battling for the same top-six ice time next season.
The Sabres already had plenty of options to fill the exposure requirements at forward, but Skinner will now be added to that group. It is interesting to wonder about the connection between the forward and Kraken GM Ron Francis from their time together in Carolina, but it still seems unlikely that the expansion club would want to take on his $9MM cap hit. That deal has proven to be one of the worst in the entire NHL, though there is obviously production still in there if the team finds a way to unlock it.
Sure, Skinner was given this contract after a career year where he scored 40 goals, but it’s not like he hadn’t come close to those numbers before. He reached the 30-goal mark on three other occasions and even scored 37 in the 2016-17 season. A brilliant skater and talented finisher, if the Sabres can find a way to mitigate his weaknesses while promoting his strengths, there is still time to get some value back.
If I’m Seattle,I’m taking him with Buffalo eating $3M per. A 2nd rounder would be a nice cookie for $6M.
A 2nd rounder is what it took to unload one season of Marc Staal. It took a 1st round pick to unload Marleau. There is zero chance Seattle takes on that albatross just for a 2nd.
Even better…..
To Seattle-
Skinner (1/3 retained) & Eichel
To Buffalo-
Seattle’s 2021 2nd overall, 2021 2nd round, 2022 1st round pick (non protected) + a player from the expansion draft.
I have been proposing a Eichel & Seattle trade for weeks now.
Remember Seattle will be making some side deals for extra draft picks.
He waived his NMC eh…looks like we’ll be seeing Skinner in…Buffalo colours next year. Nice try Buffalo.
This was not a move to get rid of Skinner, this was a move to protect another forward. Wake up.
Settle down Gary, it’s called a joke.
It’s not a joke when you think the Sabres are trying to unload Skinner in the expansion draft, yet that’s not the intent at all.
You didn’t realize the move was to protect another player. You thought the Sabres were trying to dump an unproductive high-salaried skater.
Why is it that the people that are asleep are always crying to others to settle down? Life’s happening. Might want to get out of bed and check it out.
Lol I did realize that, hence the joke. Try having a chuckle once in a while, Gary.
“Nice try Buffalo ” doesn’t sound like a joke. We’re down. We’ve been down for a long long time. If you come kicking us while we’re down, I’m going to fight back. Oh and chuckle chuckle. That’s just a joke. Hopefully I’ll settle down when we can finish somewhere other than last. It’d be a nice change.
Damn Gary who s**t in your cornflakes? I got the joke.
Buffalo fan raving in the comments. What a clown
Gary, It’s not your fault. It’s not your fault. No, listen to me, son. It’s not your fault.
Big300, I didn’t see the joke. No fun getting kicked while you’re down. Didn’t sound like a joke to me but I could be under a rock with this one. Won’t be the first time.
Take a shift off Champ! It’s gonna be okay! There is more to life than professional sports my friend!
You’re right. It’s only Wednesday and it’s not even 5. Taking a chill pill…
Danny a Sabres fan can’t Rave during the season. This is our time LOL. Have to rave now. Draft, trades, hope.
Exhibit #Q as to why max-term contracts are a terrible idea for everyone but the players.
Take My Wife Please
Henny Youngman