June 19, 2024 | 5:31pm ET
TheFourthPeriod.com

SKINNER COULD BE ON THE OUTS IN BUFFALO

Jeff Skinner, forward

The Buffalo Sabres are weighing their financial options and are believe to be considering the potential buyout of veteran forward Jeff Skinner.

While speculation has melted over Skinner’s future in Buffalo, noise over a possible buyout increased Tuesday when Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported on the Jeff Marek Show that a buyout is an option the Sabres are considering.

“I do think it's possible,” Friedman told Marek. “Obviously, nobody here is talking, but there have been some rumblings around the League that that is a possibility.”

Skinner has three more years remaining on his current contract at an annual salary cap hit of $9 million and a buyout would put his money on the books each of the next six seasons.

The Sabres have just over $23.5 million in salary cap space going into the 2024-25 campaign and have been looking to add another star forward up front – moving Skinner could create a void and give them extra cap space to play with.

In 74 games with the Sabres this past season, Skinner registered 24 goals and 22 assists for 46 points after putting up 82 points in 79 games during the 2022-23 campaign.