Cup finalists sign veteran winger to one-year, $3 million deal
It did not take long for former Sabre Jeff Skinner to find a new home. After being bought out of the final three years of his contract on Sunday, the ex-Buffalo winger agreed to a one-year, $3 million deal with the Edmonton Oilers on the opening day of free agency.
Skinner’s decline in production from 35 to 24 goals last season and questions about his viability to play outside of the top six led to the Sabres decision to move on from the veteran forward, but he may be a better fit with the Oilers, who needed to replace left winger Warren Foegele after the free agent winger signed with a three-year deal with the Los Angeles Kings.
Skinner and his representatives at Newport Sports were not willing to waive the winger’s no-movement clause to facilitate a trade, giving him two-thirds of the $22 million owed to him in the remaining three years of his eight-year, $72 million contract and complete control of where he may play.
In joining the Oilers, Skinner has well-positioned himself to put up big numbers next season playing alongside either Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl, and potentially could get another long-term contract, as well as snapping the longest playoff drought for an NHL player at 1006 regular season games.
