Skinner could be ruled out in Buffalo – The fourth period

The Buffalo Sabers are evaluating their financial options and are reportedly considering the potential buyout of veteran forward Jeff Skinner.

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

“I think it’s possible,” Friedman told Marek. “Obviously no one here is talking, but there have been rumors around the League that it’s a possibility.”

Skinner has three years remaining on his current contract with 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 Sabers have just over $23.5 million in salary cap space for the 2024-25 campaign and are looking to add another star up front – moving Skinner could create a void and give them space extra cap space to play with.

In 74 games with the Sabers last season, Skinner had 24 goals and 22 assists for 46 points after recording 82 points in 79 games during the 2022-23 campaign.