Sabres re-acquire Jeff Skinner, opening up $7.5 million in salary cap space

Buffalo Sabres left wing Jeff Skinner (53) watches the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Seattle Kraken, Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — The Sabres are buying out the remaining three years of forward Jeff Skinner’s contract, general manager Kevyn Adams said after the NHL draft Saturday in Las Vegas.

The move will provide Buffalo with about $7.5 million in immediate salary cap relief, and the Sabres could have more than $30 million in available salary space when free agency begins Monday.

Skinner, 32, was Buffalo’s highest-paid forward with an annual salary of $9 million on the eight-year contract signed in 2019. The Sabers will absorb dead salary cap charges totaling $18 million over six seasons due to the buyout. The cap rises to $4.4 million in 2025 and $6.4 million in 2026 after starting at $1.4 million the upcoming season, and stabilizes at $2.4 million for all three last years.

Skinner scored 153 goals, ranking 18th in team history, in 457 games with the Sabres. His best season was his first, scoring 40 points in his 2018-19 contract year after being acquired in a trade with the Carolina Hurricanes. After seeing his role reduced by coach Ralph Krueger for two seasons, Skinner revitalized his career in a leading role under Don Granato, totaling 68 goals and 145 points over two seasons.

But Skinner regressed to produce 24 goals and 46 points in 2023-24. On top of that, Skinner’s defensive shortcomings made him a poor fit for returning coach Lindy Ruff. That accelerated Buffalo’s motivation to buy out his contract, and Skinner wasn’t willing to waive his no-movement clause to facilitate a trade.

Popular with fans and teammates alike, Skinner achieved the dubious distinction of becoming the only player in history to appear in 1,000 NHL games without making the playoffs.